Kerzhakov treble overwhelms Andorra

Aleksandr Kerzhakov struck three times in St Petersburg as Russia maintained the pressure on the top sides in UEFA EURO 2008™ Group E with a comfortable win against Andorra.

Depleted ranks
With six players suspended and several more injured it was always going to be an uphill task for the Principality side and the tone was set for the game after just eight minutes as Kerzhakov looped a half-cleared cross over Koldo Álvarez for his first goal. He lifted the ball over the visiting goalkeeper a second time eight minutes later to double Russia's lead after Yuri Zhirkov's long ball from the left had caught out the Andorran defence.

Final strike
The Sevilla FC striker completed his hat-trick four minutes into the second period. Konstantin Zyrianov collected Vladimir Bystrov's cross from the right and, when Koldo could only parry his shot, Kerzhakov was on hand to turn the loose ball into the net from close range. Having come on as a substitute for the hat-trick hero, Dmitri Sychev rounded off the scoring with 19 minutes left, dashing on to Andrei Arshavin's deft through-ball before sliding a low shot under Koldo. Both teams are next in action on Wednesday, Russia visiting section leaders Croatia when Andorra play Israel.