Good afternoon and welcome to our live text coverage of Finland vs Russia in Group B of Euro 2020 - the first game of Matchday 2! While Russia were subjected to a humbling 3-0 defeat at the hands of group favourites Belgium in their first game, Finland's major tournament debut was overshadowed by the saddening scenes of Denmark's Christian Eriksen suffering from a cardiac arrest on the pitch. The 1-0 win from that game thanks to Joel Pohjanpalo's goal puts Finland in a strong position to qualify from this group though. We will be bringing you all the build-up, highlights and talking points from the match today, so stay tuned ahead of kick-off at 14:00.
Euro / Group Stage
Gazprom Arena / 16.06.2021
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- A. Miranchuk(45')
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End of 2nd Half
90+7'
FULL TIME: Finland 0-1 Russia
A drab end to the game after an end-to-end first half. Both sides worked hard but really lacked a cutting edge, with Finland rarely looking like scoring after Pohjanpalo's disallowed goal a few minutes into the game. Russia, on the other hand, seemed to take their foot of the gas slightly after Miranchuk's goal just before half time, but they'll be delighted with those three points - their first at the Euros in 7 games.
90+7'
The Russia physio is wearing a suit! Dressed like he's going to a business meeting.
90+3'
CLOSE!! Zhemaletdinov has time and space in the penalty area but sends his shot well over the bar. Second big chance he's wasted now.
90+2'
Veteran centre back and captain Arajuuri has been sent up front by Kanerva! Pretty desperate stuff from Finland.
90'
O'Shaugnessy is the latest player to receive a yellow card. His is for bringing down Sobolev.
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Yellow card
Daniel O'Shaughnessy
Finland
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Yellow Cards1
Fouls1
Free Kicks1
89'
CLOSE!! Lod finds Kauko at the back post with his free-kick, who heads across to Arajuuri, but the captain's headed attempt on goal loops over.
88'
Dzhikiya gets a yellow card for a poor challenge on Soiri. The resulting free-kick is in a good position for Finland.
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Yellow card
Georgi Dzhikiya
Russia
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Yellow Cards1
Fouls1
Fouls against2
Free Kicks2
85'
Teenage defensive midfielder Maxim Mukhin comes on for only his 5th Russia appearance, with the goalscorer Miranchuk being given a breather.
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Off
Aleksey Miranchuk
Russia
Goals1
On target1
Fouls against1
On
Maxim Mukhin
Russia
85'
Dzyuba's work is done. The Russia captain leaves the pitch for Spartak Moscow striker Aleksandr Sobolev.
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Off
Artem Dzyuba
Russia
Assists1
On target1
Blocked Shots2
Fouls1
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On
Aleksandr Sobolev
Russia
84'
Kanerva further signals his attacking intent with Fredrik Jensen being subbed on for Toivio.
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Off
Joona Toivio
Finland
Fouls against2
Wide1
Free Kicks1
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On
Fredrik Jensen
Finland
81'
Bit of a WWE move there from Dzyuba who barges a Finland player off the pitch on the left flank. Probably should've got a card considering he didn't even seem to look at the ball.
78'
The tempo of the game has slowed massively and you have to wonder if Finland waited too long to make their substitutions, especially given you're allowed to make five at this tournament.
75'
Pukki is substituted off after a frustrating afternoon and young forward Lassi Lappalainen is on in his place.
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Off
Teemu Pukki
Finland
On target1
Fouls2
Fouls against2
Wide1
On
Lassi Lappalainen
Finland
75'
Finland manager Maarku Kanerva makes his second substitution. Pyry Soiri joins his Esbjerg teammate Kauko on the pitch, coming on in place of Raitala.
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Off
Jukka Raitala
Finland
Fouls against1
Free Kicks2
On
Pyry Soiri
Finland
72'
SAVED!! Brilliant low save from Hradecky to deny Kuzyaev, who had ages to size up a shot after Dzyuba pounced on a defensive misunderstanding to set him up.
69'
Worrying scenes for Russia as Dzhikiya is down and could perhaps be joining fellow defenders Zhirkov and Fernandes on the injury list, but he should be okay to continue.
68'
Kauko is immediately called into action! He, perhaps greedily, opts to shoot from the edge of the area instead of laying it off to one of his better-placed teammates and his attempt is miles off.
67'
Finland are starting to look very tired, so there's no wiser time for them to make a substitution.
Rasmus Schuller departs the pitch in favour of Joni Kauko.
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Off
Rasmus Schüller
Finland
Fouls1
On
Joni Kauko
Finland
66'
CHANCE!! Biggest chance of the second half and a missed opportunity for Russia to potentially put the game to bed!
The goalscorer Miranchuk is involved again, this time threading it through to the substitute Zhimaletdinov, who tries to dispatch the ball into the far corner but instead just drags it wide of the post.
62'
Golovin attempts another shot from range but it's wide again.