TNT Sports
Spain edge past Russia
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Published 12/06/2004 at 21:25 GMT+1
Spain beat Russia 1-0 at the Algarve stadium in Faro, substitute Valeron scoring after 60 minutes with almost his first touch. Russia had recovered from a shaky start, and forced some fine first-half saves from Iker Casillas, but Spain gradually gained th
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SPAIN QUICKLY OUT OF THE BLOCKS
Evidently shocked by Portugal's defeat to Greece earlier in the day, Spain started the match at a terrific tempo, flying into challenges and pinning the Russians back deep inside their own half.
As early as the second minute, RaĂşl brought down a fantastic long ball from Baraja and was given time to turn and flash a shot across the face of goal.
Then the Real Madrid star turned provider as he threaded a nicely weighted pass through to strike partner Fernando Morientes.
The two players, with 60 international goals between them and an understanding forged over the years at Real Madrid, were a constant threat for the first half hour or so.
But the best chance of the half fell to Exteberria, who scuffed a shot from 6-yards after the Russian keeper had blocked a powerful Morientes header.
Russian opportunities were few and far between, although Alenichev did have a good shot saved by Iker Casillas on 36 mintes after a mazy run into the Spanish area.
INSPIRED SUBSTITUTIONS
Spanish coach Iñaki Saez decided to change a couple of things around in the second half; Valerón and Xabi Alonso replacing Morientes and Baraja.
The gamble paid off almost immediately when ValerĂłn scored with practically his first touch, finishing coolly after Puyol had produced a low cutback from the right.
Fernando Torres then came on for Raúl and showed some nice touches. The Atlético Madrid striker, dubbed El Niño by the Spanish press, almost shimmied his way through the entire Russian defence but was cynically brought down by Sharanov.
The Russian defender duly received his second yellow of the match and his marching orders.
The game then petered out as a contest, although Spain could never quite relax with a one-goal cushion.
Russian coach Georgi Yartsev reflected bitterly,
"There were a lot of players who were pushing me to play in the game but in the end, on the pitch, they were not very good"
"Perhaps they were intimidated by the big names in the Spanish team?"
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