Late Russian heartbreak as Sweden progress to Quarters

LAST 16

Russia 0-1 Sweden
                     Isak 89'

Lewis McWilliam
San Mamés, Bilbao, Spain
Sunday 28th June

As the Russian players stepped onto the turf in St Petersburg for their inaugural match at this year’s European Championships the task ahead appeared daunting. The familiarities of home soil would have helped any pre-match nerves, as would have the vociferous, unwavering Russian support which undoubtedly aided a rather technically limited, if well-drilled, Russian outfit to an unlikely quarter final appearance in the Word Cup just 2 years previously. However, the acclaimed global names within the Belgium ranks- Hazard, De Bruyne and Lukaku to name but a few- that lay in wait appeared certain to cap Russia’s chances in Group B to a fight for second place at best. 90+7 minutes later a piercing shrill of the referee’s whistle confirmed one of the biggest shocks in the tournament to date. A performance packed with guts, physicality and courage sprinkled with fortune brought Cherchesov’s troops a remarkable victory. These superlatives for their performance were epitomised in their big talisman Dzyuba who’s become the symbol for all that is positive within this Russian side. Two games later, with the Scandinavian scalps of Finland and Denmark duly taken the Russians sat proudly top of the pile. Sales of Kvass, the national drink, (not Vodka - you may be surprised) have been at their highest across the country over the past month since the Russians hosted the world in the summer of 2018. Toasts of this aplenty no doubt as the Russian’s entered tonight’s match in Bilbao with the acclaim of a nation for their exploits thus far.

The Swedes’ route to the last 16 has been markedly more troubled. One point from the opening two games against Spain and Ireland made it likely that an early exit was in the offing. However, the much-maligned format of the championships with the additional eight nations and round of 16 undoubtedly keeps the hopes of progression alive for teams that didn’t get off to a blistering start. All teams within Group E still had hopes of qualification intact on match day three. 24 seconds into the Group E showdown with Poland Isak’s now infamous opener set the tone for the Swedes, who ensured they would join the buoyant Russians.

The contrasting group form for these two nations all pointed towards a Russian victory here in Bilbao tonight. Indeed, the broadsheet newspaper ‘Izvestia’ was quoted in the build up as running an opinion poll stating 90% of Russians believed the side would go onto reach the semi-finals at least. Looking at the quality of the other nations left in the tournament these predictions appeared somewhat optimistic. However, the ebullience across this nation is hard to criticise given the meteoric rise the national team has had over the past few years. Whilst often the rankings of nations can be somewhat misleading let’s not forget this is a side that sank to 70th in Fifa’s World Rankings just two years ago. For all the focus on Russia’s impressive form in the prelude to tonight’s match there was an underlying feeling that this may suit the Swedes quite well. No strangers to knockout football over the years, it was unlikely that Janne Andersson’s men would be overawed by such an occasion.

The majority of the first half was a tight affair. Cherchesov and Andersson both opted for 4-2-3-1 formations and in truth resulted in slightly cautious styles adopted by either side in which there were only a few half chances created. Football, however, is an intricate game that is about more than just goalmouth action. The half was absorbing nonetheless, and the battle between Russian pivot Magomed Ozdoyev and the vintage figure of 35-year-old Sebastian Larsson, deployed as the midfield anchor-man was an intriguing one. In the 32nd minute it looked as if the former Birmingham City and Sunderland man was going to give his side the break-through with a trademark free kick. The chance came about as a result of a Swedish counter-attack in which the rangy figure of 6 ft 4 Real Sociedad marksmen Alexander Isak’s galloping run with the ball from within his own half was brought to a halt by the rather uncompromising looking challenge from Brazil-born right back Mario Fernandes. A flailing right leg was dangled out and made contact with Isak’s shin 5 yards outside the penalty area. The referee was quick to signal for the obvious foul and brandish a card. The colour was yellow; however, Fernandes face was not one of relief but unease, knowing the referee’s decision would not be final as VAR carried out a further check. The majority of the 49,000 crowd within the San Mames appeared perplexed, however, as the referee’s decision stood despite the large screens showing countless replays suggesting a more scarlet shade would have been appropriate for the full-back’s recklessness. The ageing figure of Sweden’s number 7 stepped up, and swung his trademark right boot at the ball, which looped up and over the wall spinning towards Guilherme, the Russian keeper, in goal. Swedish fans rose out of their seats ready to celebrate the break-through, as the ball seemed destined to nestle in the bottom left hand corner. Guilhere had other ideas as his outstretched hand, or should I say finger-tip, got the deftest of touches yet enough to divert the ball onto the post.

Despite no goal to celebrate, the moment seemed to give Sweden momentum, as if confirmation that a more adventurous approach would pay dividends. For the rest of the first half the Swedes played the more enterprising football. Larsson and Olsson; assured and careful in possession, providing the base for Swedish attacks whilst nullifying Russian attempts going forward. By contrast, Dzyuba, so often Russia’s hero over the past few years, cut a forlorn figure upfront increasingly frustrated by his fleeting involvement. Despite this, the half time ensured that both sides were level at the break. The two managers amplified very differing emotions however Cherchesov’s agitation was visible in his gleaming sweat-laced balding head. By contrast his counterpart cut a quietly content figure as he strode down the tunnel gathering thought.

The second-half began as the first despite a change in formation for Russia. 4-2-3-1 became 4-3-3 as Cherchesov’s men adopted a more attacking style in a bid to support Dzyuba. In truth, this made little impact on the flow of the game and if anything appeared to give the Swedes even greater initiative in midfield. On the hour mark, holding midfielder Dmitri Barinov was withdrawn with Yuri Zhirkov his replacement in a bid to provide greater width and supply. However, the intended recipient of this supply, Dzyuba, would only last a further 15 minutes at this championship. A direct ball from the Russian keeper was mis-controlled by the tiring forward. As the ball filtered back to Celtic’s Michal Lustig, deployed at centre-back for this game, the striker lunged in with a sliding challenge at best described as ‘agricultural.’ If there was an element of good fortune that the Russians had retained 11 players up to this point, this ran out here. As the referee blew and strode over to the despairing forward the red card held aloft was surely the final blow. As the big man trudged off with his head buried in his hands and the sympathetic pats on the back from his fellow teammates it was hard not to feel sorry for a man that has been at the forefront of Russia’s Renaissance.

Football however, can be the cruellest of games. Just as it appeared that the Russian rearguard had done enough to warrant an additional 30 minutes the decisive blow was struck. In the 89th minute, Sweden’s 10th corner was floated into the box by Larsson and met by the forehead of Isak. The net bulged and the Swedish players ran, arms aloft, to the left-hand corner of the ground to celebrate with the jubilant fans. A few moments later the whistle blew and the Russian dream was over ensuring any Kvass consumption in Moscow tonight will solely be in the ‘drowning-sorrows’ category. For the Swedes, the result was indicative of new-found belief. Unfancied before the tournament, the quarter finals await and this display will give undoubted confidence that others can be toppled.

Man of the Match: Sebastian Larsson

Attendance: 49,081