Euro 2012: Russia v Czech Republic full-time report

Roman Shirokov

Russia 4 Czech Republic 1

A stylish Russia overcame a subdued Czech Republic in Wroclaw, where Dick Advocaat’s side took total control of Group A.

Alan Dzagoev blasted home the first of a brace after Aleksandr Kerzhakov had seen his header strike the post, before Roman Shirokov doubled the lead in the first half when he lifted a shot over Petr Čech.

Václav Pilař pulled a goal back for the Czechs early in the second half, only for Dzagoev and substitute Roman Pavlyuchenko to fire late strikes and seal a convincing victory.

With the earlier match between Poland and Greece ending in a draw, both sides knew that victory here would give them control of a Group A which has always looked to be one of the tightest in the tournament, and contrary to popular prediction it was the Czechs who started the livelier.

Defender Roman Hubnik sent a header wide from a free-kick, but his side were lacking in confidence and all too ready to fall apart the moment that the Russians stepped up their game.

When they did, they scored, as – just as was seen in both goals during the Poland-Greece game – the Russians utilised the right side of their team as Konstantin Zyryanov’s cross picked out Kerzhakov all alone at the back post, from where he sent a header against the upright on the other side. Slow Czech reactions couldn’t prevent the rebound from reaching Dzagoev, who expertly fired low into the corner to open the scoring.

It was a strike which unleashed all of the Russians’ clever passing and movement, which the Czechs could live with for only nine minutes more until they conceded again.

This time Andrey Arshavin was heavily involved, but the captain had a stroke of luck as his pass intended for Kerzhakov was almost criminally allowed to run on by the Czech defence, who watched on as Shirokov nipped in and cleverly clipped the ball over the exposed Čech to double the lead.

Kerzhakov missed a glorious chance to make it 3-0 moments later as Russia continued to dominate, and with the Czechs struggling to get any sort of service or support to lone strike Milan Baroš, midfielder Petr Jiráček thumped a shot wide from distance to bring an end to the first half.

Improvement was needed in the second, and with Czech coach Michal Bilek no doubt having told his players that, they found themselves level just seven minutes after the restart.

Jaroslav Plašil might not have scored the goal but the Bordeaux midfielder certainly had a huge hand in it, with his superb pass splitting the Russian defence and allowing Pilař – having timed his run perfectly – to run on, round goalkeeper Vyacheslav Malafeev and get his side back into the match.

It was a goal which breathed life into the contest and left the Russians cursing their inability to extend their lead when they were on top. There was an urgency to extend it now though, a fact typified by Kerzhakov’s pained expression following a dragged effort wide after good play from Arshavin.

Zenit St Petersburg’s Kerzhakov was having an evening to forget, and two more feeble attempts wide of goal preceded his replacement by Pavlyuchenko, a substitution which occurred just moments after Czech full-back Theodor Gebre Selassie had struck a fine volley wide from a tight angle.

Malafeev saved well from Tomáš Rosický, but any notion of a Czech fightback was soon to evaporate with the two goals in three minutes which killed them off.

First, Pavlyuchenko turned provider as he picked out Dzagoev approaching the penalty area, from where the talented 21-year-old was able to fire a shot almost through Čech and into the net for his second of the game. Moments later, Pavlyuchenko did it all himself as he wriggled into the box from the left before slamming a shot into the top corner via the hand of Čech.

It was a fitting way to end an impressive opening night. 

Poland v Greece full-time report
Euro 2012 fixtures and results

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