Russia close in on finals with Poland scalp

Russia are in pole position to qualify for the 2013 UEFA European Under-21 Championship from qualifying Group 6 after posting a 4-1 comeback victory against Poland, who finished the game with ten men.

The hosts knew victory would take them top of their section but their hopes looked bleak when Poland captain Artur Sobiech broke the deadlock after seven minutes. Nikolai Pisarev's side responded through Shota Bibilov 15 minutes later, before Denis Cheryshev struck either side of Fedor Smolov's 88th-minute effort to cement an impressive second-half display.

Poland started with optimism and intent and were rewarded when Sobiech made no mistake from close range. Arkadiusz Milik then forced Nikolai Zabolotni into a smart save, before Bibilov lifted the gloom by converting Cheryshev's centre with an imperious header.

The visitors rallied after the break and almost regained the lead when Michał Żyro struck the woodwork, before Russia forward Cheryshev wrestled back the initiative when his fierce cross eluded goalkeeper Łukasz Skorupski. Daniel Łukasik's red card made Poland's task even more arduous with eight minutes remaining. Smolov soon doubled Russia's advantage, before Cheryshev completed the scoring in added time.