Brazil went into tonight's friendly international against Russia at Stamford Bridge looking for their first win since Luiz Felipe Scolari took charge last year.
Russia are unbeaten in seven matches under Fabio Capello and took the lead late on through Victor Fayzulin, who eventually turned home after a frantic goalmouth scramble.
In stoppage time the Selecao found a last-ditch equaliser as Hulk and Marcelo combined for Fred to finish from close range.
Look back at an intriguing international clash in West London with Sports Mole's minute-by-minute commentary below.
Evening international football fans. Stamford Bridge hosts a showpiece friendly between Brazil and Russia tonight, and Sports Mole will make sure you don't miss a thing right here with live text commentary.
Brazil have shown glimpses of something special under Luiz Felipe Scolari in recent months, but are yet to produce a complete performance under the charismatic boss. Neymar, Kaka and Hulk will get a chance to do just that this evening and hand Scolari the first win of his second spell in charge.
Fabio Capello's Russia will provide a stern test of Brazil's credentials tonight, with a disciplined side that are capable of real quality on the counter. Tonight's friendly has all the ingredients of a match not to be missed in West London.
Russia should be fresh and ready to field a strong side tonight after having last weekend's World Cup qualifier against Northern Ireland called off. The Irish made two attempts to get the match on but were denied on both occasions by swirling snow in Belfast.
BREAKING TEAM NEWS! Brazil have elected to field just about their strongest available side at the Bridge tonight, with Neymar, Kaka and Fred all included. Complete starting XI's for both sides will follow in a few moments.
RUSSIA: Gabulov, Anyukov, Berezutsky, Ignashevich, Eshchenko, Glushakov, Shirokov, Fayzulin, Bystrov, Kerzhakov, Kokorin
Brazil have opted to bring Thiago Silva back into central defence ahead of Dante, who drops out of the side which drew against Italy last week. Oscar and David Luiz both start in familiar surroundings, with Kaka and Neymar given a free role behind clinical finisher Fred.
Russia are without skipper Igor Denisov tonight through illness, so Roman Shirokov captains the side. Zenit striker Alexander Kerzakhov starts in a lone forward role, but Alan Dzagoev and Yuri Zhirkov are both on the bench.
Brazil just about summed up their current form in a pulsating 2-2 draw with Italy last weekend. 30 minutes of clinical attacking football were undermined by a late collapse, which allowed Mario Balotelli to net a long-range equaliser. Scolari will look for more consistency tonight as he builds towards this summer's Confederations Cup.
Fred showed once again in the Italy game why Scolari continues to show faith in his ability. The veteran forward scored with minimal fuss in Geneva, in a style that Lyon fans will remember fondly. Whether he can maintain that form right through to next summer's World Cup is another question entirely.
The exciting attacking trio of Kaka, Neymar and Oscar form the pulse of Scolari's vision. Kaka is handed the number 10 jersey tonight, with Lazio playmaker Hernanes dropping deeper to play a holding midfield role.
PREDICTION! Both teams are about to take the field at Stamford Bridge, with a decent crowd on hand to greet the two sides. There is just time for me to register a prediction, which is always tricky in friendly internationals. I think Brazil will just about edge tonight's encounter thanks to their attacking intent. Fred and Neymar to net in a 2-1 win for the Selecao!
The national anthems are well underway, which means we are just a couple of minutes away from kickoff. Scolari looks comfortable in his former dugout at the Bridge as Capello walks across to greet the veteran coach. Both men will have mixed memories of England ahead of tonight's clash, for very different reasons.
Both sides look in no rush to get underway at a freezing Stamford Bridge as referee Howard Webb hurries Brazil to take the kickoff!
Fred and Neymar get the first friendly international of the century at Stamford Bridge. The Selecao quickly settle into a pattern of possession, with Kaka darting between two players before eventually running the ball out of play in the final third.
SHOT! Russia counter and launch the first meaningful attack. Kerzakhov caught Thiago Silva napping to slip in behind the back four, but is denied by a stern block from David Luiz. Julio Cesar is forced into a save just 30 seconds later to turn behind a powerful low free kick from Ignashevic. A bright start at both ends!
Russia are pressing high up the pitch and force Neymar to concede possession thanks to a well-timed tackle from Kokorin. Both sides are playing with a tempo and energy not normally associated with a friendly international in the early going.
Kokorin is quickly involved again, winning the ball and spreading a neat pass wide to Faizulin. A battle of pace with Marcelo on the left eventually forces Hernanes to retreat and concede a free kick in a dangerous position.
CHANCE! Brazil are nearly exposed from the set piece as Kokorin steals a march on Dani Alves, but Russia have to settle for a corner. The Selecao once again struggle to clear their lines, but Kerzakhov can only lash wide unmarked at the far post. Scolari should be concerned about his side's lazy attitude to defending the danger on that occasion.
OFF THE LINE! Bystrov shows a neat touch and turn of pace to find Kerzakhov, who works the channels to win a corner off Luiz. Brazi are all at sea again from the corner and need a desperate block on the line from Hernanes to stop Kerzakhov from breaking the deadlock. This is a fine start from Russia but they must surely make it count with a goal.
Bystrov tries his luck from range, but Cesar is down quickly to make a routine save. Brazil finally leave their own half for a few minutes as Kaka and Alves combine to win possession and break down the right. A promising attack is stopped as Neymar is penalised for bringing down Shirokov.
Marcelo bursts forward for the first time and goes down under a challenge from Ignashevic. The award of a free kick 30 yards from goal has Alves switching flanks to line up a cross. Marcelo eventually takes and after an initial clearance Oscar's wonderful delivery to the far post is turned behind by Eshchenko.
Brazil are now dominating possession and have come alive. David Luiz roams forward and sends a fantastic cross from deep into Neymar, who is caught out by the bounce and cannot get the ball under control. Ignashevic takes the chance to clear but for the first time tonight Russia are firmly on the defensive.
Neymar tricks Bystrov with a quick change of pace and Brazil have another free kick. This time they work it shot for Fernando to cross, but Luiz is at least three yards offside at the far post. Chance wasted for the Selecao.
After a bright, pressing start Russia have withdrawn deep and look every inch the Capello team with their willingness to run and chase. Oscar is in a slightly wider position tonight and gives the ball away twice in as many minutes. That is not the clinical playmaker that Chelsea fans have watched admiringly so far this season.
Russia decide to retain possession in their own half and are nearly caught out as Kaka robs the ball back in the final third. His quick pass to Marcelo quickly sets Neymar free in the penalty area. With Fred free at the far post the Santos forward decides to shoot and can only smash well wide from a tight angle. Slightly selfish there from the Samba starlet.
Alves gives away a free kick on the halfway line for a shoulder barage on Eshchenko. Fouls have been a constant theme in the first 30 minutes as Bystrov returns the favour by bundling over Hernanes in the next spell of play. For a friendly international this match has been combative so far.
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Neymar tries to find Fred with an intricate flick, but Anyokov reads the danger to intercept and find Bystrov in space out wide. Brazil's forward pair have failed to show any kind of understanding so far tonight.
CHANCE! Fred gets his first sight of goal as Brazil send in another diagonal pass from deep. Marcelo tries the quick pass but Berezutski does not enough to stop the striker making contact with the curling cross.
Marcelo and Kaka exchange neat passes, before the playmaker attempts an intricate pass behind the Russia defence to Oscar. His through ball is cut out by Ignashevic as Capello's side once again show discipline in defence.
Shirokov comes close to picking out Bystrov with a superb pass in behind Silva, but Marcelo reads the danger to intercept with a late block. Both sides are just about cancelling each other out at this stage but you sense there is still goals in the game.
SHOT! Faizulin links up with Kerzakhov to launch a clever counter. After holding up the ball brilliantly the striker finds Faizulin at the far post, but his powerful strike flies just past the near post. Julio Cesar definitely got a slight touch on the shot but a goal kick is awarded.
Neymar finally has space out wide and picks out Fred just inside the penalty area. With two defenders blocking his path the forward tries a ridiculous shot with his heel from 18 yards. Gabulov gathers the shot with ease and Neymar looks less than impressed with the poacher's effort.
HALF-TIME Brazil 0-0 Russia
A bright start at both ends has petered out somewhat as both sides trudge off after 45 minutes with the match still goalless. Russia look full of running on the counter and just about shaded an even contest so far.
Russia have definitely been impressive at times tonight and possess pace, guile and organization across the pitch. With a top-class striker Fabio Capello's side may even enter the conversation for sides capable of challenging at major international tournaments.
Brazil struggled in the first 15 minutes, but have found their rhythm without creating many clear-cut opportunities before the break. Kaka and Oscar have struggled to find space, but Hernanes has been brilliant in winning possession and launching attacks in a deeper midfield role.
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Expect to see a raft of changes after the break, with Hulk the most notable player waiting in the wings. Despite being handed the number 10 jersey Kaka has struggled to dictate the match behind Fred and may well be withdrawn.
Capello has blooded a couple of younger players tonight and they have adapted to the occasion. Aleksandr Kokorin in particular has been energetic in midfield and kept Fernando and Hernanes under constant pressure. The 22-year-old is more comfortable in the final third and is one to watch for the next few seasons.
If you are in any doubt as to why the world rankings FIFA publish are so widely ignored, Brazil went into tonight's match listed as 18th. If Scolari fails to win tonight it is entirely plausible that the Selecao will head into the Confederations Cup outside the top 20. Remarkable!
Both sides are about to come back out at Stamford Bridge and the fourth official is busy pumping numbers into his board. A list of additions for the second half will follow shortly.
SUBSTITUTIONS: Russia have made three changes at the break, bringing on Zhirkov, Shatov and Kombarov. Anzhi winger Zhirkov is a familiar face in West London after spending two seasons at Chelsea. Anyokov, Bystrov and Kokorin are the players to be withdrawn.
Brazil go straight on the attack through Kaka, who skips by two defenders before winning a corner kick. Zhirkov is quickly pressed into action and clears the corner before sprinting forward to come within inches of meeting Shirokov's cross. A bright start to the second half at both ends.
No changes from Scolari as of yet. The Brazil coach probably wants more craft and spirit from his preferred starting XI, who are without a win since mid-October.
Shatov loses out to Silva, who launches a clever diagonal pass to Kaka. His interchange with Oscar drives Brazil into the final third, but a promising attack is broken up as Kaka loses out to Glushakov. That tackle was met with a huge groan from the crowd, who have seen the Selecao continually overplay in and around the penalty area tonight.
Hernanes dribbles past Shirokov put a clever pass to Oscar finds the Chelsea midfielder just offside. Russia continue to be made of strong stuff in defence and look capable of keeping clean sheets in big matches.
Kaka produces his best run of the match to slip past three Russia midfielders and exchange flicks with Fred. Just as the Real Madrid man looks to pull the trigger Eshchenko does just enough to block his path and divert the ball wide for a corner kick.
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Neymar is bundled over by Shirokov as he cuts inside from 30 yards, leaving Howard Webb with no choice but to award a free kick. David Luiz wins the battle to take but fires into a wall of Red shits. Another chance missed for Brazil!
Berezutski blocked that shot with his face and spends a few minutes recovering on the floor. Brazil eventually restart the match and settle back into a familiar pattern of possession without penetration in the opposition half.
Oscar sets Kaka clear down the left wing, but the number 10 is unable to sneak past two Russia defenders with his trickery. Brazil continue to probe but Neymar's corner is poor and allows Berezutski to clear easily at the near post. The time must be coming for Scolari to consider making changes in attack.
SHOT! Oscar sends a precise whipped cross to the far post, which Neymar does well to keep alive and put back into the penalty area. Kaka and Hernanes eventually work the ball to Marcelo outside the box, but his low shot is easily gathered by Gabulov.
Russia captain Shirokov is down injured and looks in some discomfort after sliding in on Kaka and twisting his leg. Brazil are definitely planning a change on the touchline, surely Hulk is about to be introduced.
SUBSTITUTION: And indeed with 20 minutes to play Hulk is brought on to face some of his Zenit teammates. Oscar is the player withdrawn on a frustrating night for the talented Chelsea playmaker. After two minute of treatment Shirokov limps back into the match.
Hulk's introduction has seen Neymar take up a central position behind Fred, with Kaka switched to the right-hand side. He wins a free kick in that area almost immediately, which leads to Neymar curling a shot straight to Gabulov.
YELLOW CARD! Hernanes gets booked for the second friendly running after smashing into the back of Kombarov. That is the ugly side to his intricate, passing game.
GOAL! Brazil 0-1 Russia (Fayzulin)
Against the run of play Russia have the lead following a frantic goalmouth scramble. Kerzakhov and Shirokov both had shots blocked by brilliant last-ditch clearances, but Fayzulin eventually turned home from close range after slotting through Cesar's legs. What a moment for Capello's side, who have never beaten the Selecao in their history.
SHOT! Brazil go straight on the offensive and nearly find an instant equaliser. Hulk is picked out by Luiz out wide and darts towards the penalty area. After running into traffic Hulks picks out Marcelo, who can only flash a powerful strike just wide with his left foot. Brazil have less than 10 minutes to prevent a disappointing defeat at Stamford Bridge.
SUBSTITUTION: Brazil thrown on Diego Costa for Kaka. The Atletico Madrid striker also came on against Italy and earns his 12th cap tonight.
The Selecao are really struggling to carve out a chance to equalise in the closing stages. Marcelo aims a pair of crosses into the penalty area but Russia continue their dogged defensive approach to head clear on both occasions. Fred has been isolated and cut a frustrated figure for much of the match.
SUBSTITUTION: Yuri Zhirkov has pulled up with a hamstring strain and needs to be replaced. A short night's work for the former Chelsea man ends as Grigoriev comes on for the final few minutes.
YELLOW CARD! Eschenko gives away a free kick just inches outside the penalty are after being fooled by a quick stepover from Hulk. With a packed penalty area to choose from Hernanes scoops a shocking effort well over the far post. Scolari looks far from happy with that and sits back on the bench with an angry grimace.
For the second time tonight a pitch invader disrupts proceedings, and for the second time a well-timed tackle from the stewards bring down the intruder.
GOAL! Brazil 1-1 Russia (Fred)
In stoppage time Brazil have salvaged a draw with Fred's fourth goal is as many international games. Hulk cuts inside and starts a move which picks out Marcelo in acres of space out wide. His pass across the penalty picks out Fred, and the clinical striker makes no mistake to tap home from close range. Relief all round for the Selecao.
FULL-TIME Brazil 1-1 Russia
An intriguing game ends with Brazil chasing a late winner. Fred's late equaliser has ensured that both sides must settle for a draw that is just about merited. Russia showed class on the counter but Brazil dominated possession and did not deserve to lose the match.
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Question marks still surround Brazil, with Scolari now five games without a win since taking charge again last year. Work in progress is still very much the part line as preparations turn towards the Confederations Cup this summer.
Fabio Capello can take plenty of positives from Russia's performance tonight. Defensive discipline coupled with pace and intent on the counter now mean the Italian is seven matches without defeat as coach.
That just about does it for tonight's showpiece international at Stamford Bridge. Thanks for joining Sports Mole and goodnight!
Written by
Liam Power
Liam Power
