Russia came back from behind to draw South Korea
Russia 1-1 South Korea
Russia had fallen behind in the second half after a terrible mistake by their goalkeeper Akinfeev. Akinfeev fumbled and dropped the ball into his own net conceding the lead to the Koreans in the 68th minute. Kerzhakov who came into the match couple of minutes earlier was able to provide the needed equaliser by scoring off a loose ball in the 74th minute. The draw puts these teams tied in the 2nd place with Belgium topping the table.
The first half provided opportunities for both the teams but any good chances to score. Russia got couple of free kicks early in the game but couldn't utilise them fully. And Korea's best chances were provided by Son Heung-min who wasted early opportunity by taking the shot when his team mates were in better position to score. Russia wasn't able to get any chances that would really trouble their opponents. Russia's best chance of the half came in the 31st minute when Ignashevitch tried to score from a 35 yard free kick, but the Korean goalkeeper pushed it away. Son Heung-min wasted another opportunity at the closing stages of half time. Russia didn't make much meaningful effort to score a goal in the first half. Both the teams were goalless at end of half time.
Russia's second half start was impressive and their captain Berezutskiy almost scored with his header, but the ball went inches off target and hit the side net instead. South Korea responded with their own attack Koo's long range shot troubled the goalkeeper who punched the ball. And Ki came back with another shot but it was saved by the goalkeeper. The Russian keeper couldn't gather a free kick in first attempt, only to have the ball bouncing off him and gathering just before attackers arrive. Russian goalkeeper made the greatest mistake of the night when he failed to gather Lee's long range shot and fumbled the ball into his own net. It could have cost Russia the match but substitute Kerzhakov scored in the 74th minute, bringing back Russia into the game. Dzagoev made a good attempt to score but Korean goalkeeper Jung made a fine save. Korean defender messed up the clearance by shooting straight to Eschenko, the ball bounces off him straight into the feet of Kerzhakov who nets the ball calmly. Both the teams try to get into lead in the remaining time but settled for draw.
The draw places them in the 2nd place. Russia would be hoping to solve their goalkeeper problem in their next match and Korea would be wanting to improve their overall performance. The Koreans got heir goal thanks to blunder by the Russian goalkeeper. They would be trying to improve their finishes in their next match against Algeria.
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