GROUP B
Belgium 1-2 Russia
Dzyuba '35
Lukaku '70
Bakaev '84
Eamonn Foster
Saint Petersburg Stadium, Saint Petersburg, Russia
Saturday 13th June
There was a moment, after only ten minutes, when Eden Hazard controlled a long punt from his goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois with such majesty, such assuredness, that the Saint Petersburg stadium fell momentarily silent. It was as though it suddenly dawned upon the Russian supporters that they were up against the real thing, somebody seemingly born to have the leading role on an international stage such as this. Hazard had, after all, scored two in the 4-1 win for Belgium here in qualifying just last November. Belgians and neutrals alike drooled, eager to see what other delights he would bring.
And yet, ultimately, the evening was not to be about the stocky little Belgian wizard. Well, it wasn’t and yet it was, in a way. A forceful tackle from Russia captain Artem Dzyuba after half an hour left a mark on Hazard’s leg that proved to be too much to run off. When it became clear his night- but hopefully not his tournament- was over, Hazard seethed and the relieved Russians found new energy. Given the wealth of talent Belgium still had out on the pitch, however, losing the Real Madrid playmaker should not have been enough to level the playing field like it did.
Whilst Monaco midfielder Aleksandr Golovin was undoubtedly the easiest on the eye for Russia, always smooth and crafty in possession, it was the burly 31 year-old Zenit forward Dzyuba who looked the most obvious threat to the Belgians. The way he barged into Belgian players and essentially hogged the ball was reminiscent of the playground football bully we’ve all known and, well, let have his way. Belgium, of course, could not be so affording. And yet they were, most of all in the 35th minute when they left him essentially unmarked on the edge of the six yard box to head home a menacing Golovin corner. Fingers were pointed from the irritated Belgians but, ultimately, mark up. Advantage Russia.
Kevin De Bruyne struggled to impose himself on the game, not yet at full fitness following the injury he sustained last month in Manchester City’s Champions League semi-final defeat to Juventus. A more dominant de Bruyne performance may well be essential should Hazard not recover in time for Wednesday’s contest with Denmark in Saint Petersburg. An in-form De Bruyne, of course, could take Belgium far into the tournament.
On the 70th minute Romelu Lukaku drew Belgium level after capitalizing on a wayward backpass from Andrei Semenov and it seemed that perhaps the Red Devils, as they like to be known, had sparked back into life. Rather than show any sign of pleasure with his goal Lukaku simply frowned, grabbed the ball and placed it on the half way spot himself. Belgium meant business.
The next quarter of an hour saw Russia pegged back, save for the odd brief long ball to relieve the pressure. For Russia Dzyuba did his best to hold it up but he needed more support. That support came, in the form of substitute Zelimkhan Bakaev. Few outside of Russia knew of the 23 year-old Spartak Moscow winger beforehand but for those watching they watching tonight they certainly know him now. There were five minutes left on the clock when a wasteful cross from Timoty Castagne was caught by Russian goalkeeper, Guilherme, whose quick thinking led a charge upfront. A long throw fell right into the path of Bakaev on the right flank, who took a big first touch to attack the acres of space in front of him. With Yoeri Tielemans bearing down on him, he cut inside and continued towards Courtois’ goal. Nikolay Komlichenko, a forward even more imposing than Dzyuba, the man he had replaced, screamed for the ball. Bakaev used the fact that everybody assumed he would square the ball to cut back on Tielemans once more, advance a little further and then drive the ball past Courtois and into the far corner, sending Russia into dreamland. A goal to accompany Federico Chiesa’s winner for Italy on Friday evening in the eventual reel of the best goals of the tournament.
Divock Origi was thrown on for Belgium in the hope that he might bring the Belgians the same kind of luck he so often brings Liverpool when introduced late on. No such luck. Lukaku fluffed his lines from a Dries Mertens cross and Tielemans had reasonable claims for a freekick on the edge of the box but the Russians held firm. Pre-tournament favourites Belgium, on the other hand, bruised and bleeding, were left painfully aware of the fact they will not have things their own way.
Man of the Match: Aleksandr Golovin