Finland – Russia | Euro 2020-2021 Group B Matchday 2: Miranchuk freezes the Nordic miracle

Russia came back to life. A extraordinary goal from Miranchuk maintains the options of Stanislav Cherchesov’s team to go to the round of 16 and reduced the euphoria of Finland, which after its agitated but triumphant debut in a final phase of the Eurocup against Denmark fell in Saint Petersburg and prolongs its bad streak against the feared neighbor to the East . He hasn’t beaten him since the 1912 Olympics. Even the oldest Norse don’t remember him anymore. The Finnish miracle therefore enters the freezer, pending a final day in which the team led by Markku Kanerva will have to face the powerful Belgium within a group that at this point registers a triple tie at three points overhead, although the ‘red devils’ and Denmark have an extra ball.

The teacher who already made history by putting in his first Eurocup a country that has ice hockey as its main sporting hobby kept the block that defeated Denmark with the exception of the entry of Schüller by Sparv in the center of the field, while the big news in Russia was the changing of the guard at the goal: Safonov instead of Shunin, beaten by Belgium.

Mimicking the strategy that catapulted them to success last Saturday in their premiere in a final phase of the Eurocup, the ‘Royal Owls’ handed over command to the demanded Russia and awaited their opportunity to counter. The plan was about to pay off right away. A loss of Kuzyaev empowered a center from the right that Pohjanpalo headed the net. The millimeter offside of the Union Berlin striker prevented the goal from rising to the scoreboard, but the premature warning was serious.

Stanislav Cherchesov’s team needed victory after their very poor performance against the ‘Red Devils’ and charged from the first moment. Ozdoev squandered an odd opportunity, Dzyuba hit the post offside and Karavaev missed a cross at Kuzyaev’s far post because Uronen got in his way when he was on goal. There were cracks in the Finnish rear. Also in Russian, because Diveev snatched a goal from Pohjanpalo the burly attacker was already singing.

All open

The impetuous start gave way to a calmer section, but when the first half was dying Miranchuk managed to unlock the shock with a left foot that penetrated the squad. He bore the stamp of the talented Atalanta midfielder but the goal would have been signed by Messi himself. Just result at rest for the dominance of the ‘Sbornaya’, which He had lost Mario Fernandes due to a tremendous cost that forced him to retire with a neck brace. He suffers a spinal injury. Another scare in this European full of shocks.

The outlook was looking good for Russia against a team built to resist but not to propose. But Cherchesov’s pupils transmit insecurity everywhere. A robbery by Lod allowed the Minnesota United midfielder to filter a great pass to Pukki, but Diveev put on the hero cape again.

The result forced more exposure to Finland and Russia was able to put land in between. They grazed the second Golovin with a right hand; Zhemaletdinov, who crossed his shot too far and then fired high; and Kuzyaev, who forced Hradecky to show off. Finland also had some option to tie, especially in a Pukki shot that Safonov caught with some difficulties and in a header by Arajuuri that went high by a span. But the crash expired without further alteration on the scoreboard. Everything is still open.