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Russia 4-1 Czech Republic

Russia 4-1 Czech Republic
© PA Photos
Russia open their Euro 2012 campaign with an emphatic 4-1 win over the Czech Republic at the Municipal Stadium in Wraclow.

Russia have opened their Euro 2012 campaign with an emphatic 4-1 win over the Czech Republic at the Municipal Stadium in Wraclow.

The Czechs had an early opportunity to take the lead, but Roman Hubnik headed wide from a free kick. Russia came close soon after when Aleksandr Kerzhakov saw his wayward effort miss the target.

However, the Russians made the breakthrough minutes later as Alan Dzagoev lashed in the rebound after Kerzhakov had hit the post with his flicked header.

Dzagoev then missed a glorious opportunity when he sliced wide, but Roman Shirokov doubled Russia's lead in the 23rd minute when he collected Andrey Arshavin's threaded ball before dinking over the oncoming Petr Cech.

Kerzhakov, who missed a number of chances throughout the match, should have done better at the start of the second half as he smashed the ball wide of Cech's goal.

Despite Russia's dominance, the Czech Republic reduced the deficit on 51 minutes when Vaclav Pilar rounded Vyacheslav Malafeev before slotting in.

Konstantin Zyryanov then hit a speculative strike well over the bar, while Kerzhakov again dragged wide from a good position.

Tomas Rosicky forced a good save from Malfeev midway through the half, but Russia sealed the win with 12 minutes to go as Dzagoev fired in after being found by the impressive Arshavin.

It was 4-1 in the final 10 minutes thanks to substitute Roman Pavlyuchenko's fierce strike from the edge of the area.

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Euro 2024 fixtures header
Tuesday, July 9
 
8pm
Semi-Finals
Spain
vs.
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Wednesday, July 10
 
8pm
Sunday, July 14
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Germany Germany32107
Q Switzerland Switzerland31205
3 Hungary Hungary31023
4 Scotland flag Scotland30121

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Spain Spain33009
Q Italy Italy31114
3 Croatia Croatia30212
4 Albania national flag Albania30121

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England31205
Q Denmark Denmark30303
Q Slovenia Slovenia30303
4 Serbia Serbia30212

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Austria Austria32016
Q France France31205
Q Netherlands Netherlands31114
4 Poland Poland30121

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Romania Romania31114
Q Belgium Belgium31114
Q Slovakia Slovakia31114
4 Ukraine Ukraine31114

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Turkey Turkey32016
Q Georgia Georgia31114
4 Czech Republic Czech Republic30121


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