Live commentary: Belgium - Russia 1:0 (World Cup 2014 Brazil, Group H)

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Slideshow World Cup 2014 Brazil Group H, Belgium - Russia

Belgium	Sunday, 22. June 2014 17:00 Clock	Russia
	1:0

goals
1 : 0	Divock Origi 88. / right-footed shot (Eden Hazard)

90'		Full-Time A late goal by Divock Origi secures Belgium a 1:0 victory against Russia! All in all this win is a lucky one for Belgium. Russia had the better opportunities with Aleksandr Kokorin missing a free header in first half and Andrey Eshchenko's shot in the second half. Also they were denied a penalty by Dr. Felix Brych. Belgium were strong in the beginning and in the end. In between the side of Marc Wilmots were pressured by Russia and couldn't build-up their game as they wanted to. But a strong Eden Hazard who finally decided to show his skills in the last five minutes and a good performance by all the defenders made it possible that Belgium is through to the round of the last sixteen. Russia is not out of the World Cup but needs a lot of help from Algeria today and Belgium next thursday if they want to reach the knock-out stages. Thank you for your attandance and have a good evening with the other matches of the day!
90'		Aleksandr Kerzhakov is brought on by Fabio Capello. He has three minutes of injury time to score the equalizer just like he did against South Korea. But instead it is Kevin Mirallas who has the big opportunity to decide the game. But after a fine counter-attack which gives Mirallas a lot of space on the right site of the Russian box his harmless shot is saved by Igor Akinfeev.
90'		Substitution (in) Russia -> Aleksandr Kerzhakov
90'		Substitution (out) Russia -> Aleksandr Samedov
88'		Goooal for Belgium, 1:0 by Divock Origi Belgium lighta the turbo in the last minutes and is almost through to the last sixteen! Eden Hazard finds some space on the left site of the box and runs almost down to the goalline. He plays a lovely ball back to Divock Origi who has no problems to shot the ball past center-back Sergey Ignashevich and keeper Igor Akinfeev into the goal!
85'		Next big opportunity for Belgium! Eden Hazard fools three Russian defenders on the left site of the box with a quick turn inspired by Zinedine Zidan. He uses the space to dribble into the center but can't find the back of the net with his shot from 14 meters.
84'		Kevin Mirallas hits the post! Belgium with a freekick twenty meters away from goal. Kevin Mirallas sees that Akinfeev moves into the left corner and tries to find the right corner with a low shot. But he only hits the post.
83'		Substitution (in) Russia -> Alan Dzagoev
83'		Substitution (out) Russia -> Oleg Shatov
80'		But then Andrey Eshchenko finds some space and scores almost the 1:0! Oleg Shatov receives the ball in the center and two Belgian defender try to close the center. They forget about the right full-back Eshchenko who receives the ball and fires a shot from 20 meters. He misses the far post just by inches!
79'		For the first time since 15 minutes the Belgian side is more than twenty seconds in the Russian half. A shot by Origi is blocked but the attack gives the defenders time to breath. The Russians put a lot of pressure on the Belgian lines without finding quite enough space for dangerous shots.
76'		Marc Wilmots tries to resuscitate the Belgian offense by bringing on Kevin Mirallas for Dries Mertens who has been almost invisible in the second half.
75'		Substitution (in) Belgium -> Kevin Mirallas
75'		Substitution (out) Belgium -> Dries Mertens
73'		Toby Alderweireld (Belgium) is shown a yellow card The Belgian full-back with a sliding tackle against Maksim Kanunnikov right at the sideline. He doesn't hit the ball and therefore the booking is correct.
72'		But set pieces might be the way to win this game. A Russian freekick from the left wing flies high into the Belgian box. But the header by Aleksandr Kokorin flies equally high above the crossbar.
71'		Belgium lose the ball on the right site and the Russian attackers start their counter-attack. But Daniel Van Buyten can clear a long pass to Oleg Shatov before the attacker can reach the ball. The following corner is no danger for Thibaut Courtois.
67'		Although it is not as hot as in some other venues both sides seem to have a lot of troubles with their physical conditions. The cramps of Kozlov were only one sign. The huge amount of passing mistakes and the slow build-up by both teams in the second half are some other.
63'		Fabio Capello needs to make his first substitution. Aleksey Kozlov has cramps in his legs and is replaced by Andrey Eshchenko who was in the starting eleven against South Korea.
62'		Substitution (in) Russia -> Andrey Eshchenko
62'		Substitution (out) Russia -> Aleksey Kozlov
60'		It took 15 minutes untill the game picks up some speed again. First it is Aleksey Kozlov with a cross from the right site which is missed by his teammates in the box. Kevin De Bruyne picks up the ball and carries it into the Russian half. He finds Eden Hazard on the left site but the highly talented midfielder can't get past the Russian defense. He then tries to find Divock Origi in the center but the new forward can't reach the ball.
58'		Second substition by Marc Wilmots. Romelu Lukaku leaves the pitch after a disappointing performance and is replaced by Divock Origi.
57'		Substitution (in) Belgium -> Divock Origi
57'		Substitution (out) Belgium -> Romelu Lukaku
54'		Axel Witsel (Belgium) is shown a yellow card The Belgian midfielder trips Oleg Shatov and receives the second yellow card of the game.
53'		Denis Glushakov with an ambitious shot from the left site. He picks up a cross underestimated by Toby Alderweireld and fires a shot from the left sideline of the box. It misses the crossbar by some meters.
49'		But after a moment of shock there is the all-clear-signal by Witsel. He returns onto the pitch.
48'		The match is interrupted because of a mid-air-collision between Axel Witsel and Maksim Kanunnikov. While the Russian midfielder seems to be unharmed Witsel receives medical attention for his right shoulder.
46'		The second half is underway! The coaches trust in the same twenty-two players who left the pitch 15 minutes ago.
46'		Second Half begins
45'		Half-Time No goals between Russia and Belgium in Rio de Janeiro but it is still a good game to watch! Belgium had the better start and especially Dries Mertens had some good and dangerous ideas to get through the Russian defense. But just like his teammates his actions lacked the last precision. The Russian side concentrated on defending the first 20 minutes. Some good opportunities for counter-attacks were spoiled by bad passing so that the Belgian keeper Courtois only had to deal with some long-distance shots by Kanunnikov and Fayzulin. But shortly before the break it was Kokorin who could almost beat the keeper but his header went just wide. That leaves us a completly open second half in the Maracanã but Russia will probably take higher risks because a second draw couldn't be enough to go through into the round of the last sixteen.
44'		Aleksandr Kokorin with the best chance of the match! The Russian receives a fine cross from the left site and is completly unmarked in the Belgian box. But his headed misses the left post by inches. This time Courtois would have had a hard time to save that one!
42'		Russia's right site is getting stronger. For the second or third time it is right full-back Aleksey Kozlov who finds some space after a nice combination. But his cross is cleared by Vincent Kompany and the following corner just produces a long-distance shot by Viktor Fayzulin which is absolutly no danger for Thibaut Courtois.
38'		Denis Glushakov (Russia) is shown a yellow card The Russian midfielder pulls up his right leg far to high and hits the right hand of Dries Mertens during a duel in midfield.
35'		Dmitriy Kombarov has still his fair shade of problems with Dries Mertens. The Russian full-back is nutmeged by Mertens who enters the box. He tries to find Romelu Lukaku in the center but Igor Akinfeev can punch the ball away.
32'		First substitution of the game. Thomas Vermaelen needs to leave the pitch. The Belgian defender hurt his right knee during warm-up and apparently the injury got worse during the first half-hour. He is replaced by Jan Vertonghen.
31'		Substitution (in) Belgium -> Jan Vertonghen
31'		Substitution (out) Belgium -> Thomas Vermaelen
30'		Thibaut Courtois is needed again! The Belgian keeper saves a hard shot by Maksim Kanunnikov who is the most dangerous Russian attacker in the first 30 minutes.
25'		Toby Alderweireld is very lucky! Maksim Kanunnikov enters the Belgian box on the left site and tries to trick Alderweireld by stepping onto the ball. The Belgian defender tries to hit the ball but only hits Kanunnikov's foot. The Russian attacker falls to the ground but the whistle of Dr. Felix Brych remains silent. The referee probably thought that Alderweireld hit the ball. It was a very though situation to handle for Brych but nontheless Russia is denied a valid penalty.
21'		Again Mertens! The right winger is very active on his site and fires another shot into the direction of Igor Akinfeev. But just like his first try the shot from the right site of the box misses the goal.
19'		Dries Mertens with a very good run on the right wing. The midfielder dribbels past the Russian defenders like he is competing in a slalom and shots from 20 meters. But his shot misses the left post by one meter.
18'		It is a lively beginning by both teams which brings the supporters up to their feet. The Mexican wave runs through the Maracanã!
14'		On the other site it is Kevin De Bruyne who initiates the next good attack with a fine pass to Dries Mertens. The right winger tries to find Romelu Lukaku in six-yard-box but Aleksey Kozlov is faster than the Belgian forward and clears the ball.
12'		Unlike the Belgian defense! Shatov, coming from the left wing, dribbles past three defenders into the center. He passes to Viktor Fayzulin who shots from just outside the box. But Thibaut Courtois can get his hands to the shot which aimed for the right corner.
8'		The Russian defense has a lot of work on its hands. The "Red Devils" are putting huge pressure onto the goal of Igor Akinfeev. But so far the Russians are very concentrated and can get a leg to every dangerous pass of the Belgians.
4'		Belgium with a good first impression! Dries Mertens can collect a long pass by Marouane Fellaini superbly in the Russian box. Mertens has a go from 12 meters but Sergey Ignashevich can block his shot in the last moment.
2'		... but the corner is easily cleared by the Russian side which try to break immediately. But the Belgian defenders are on their spots, there's no danger for keeper Thibaut Courtois.
1'		Hopefully, this won't happen again today and all the headlines are produced by the teams! Belgium in their red dresses are making the first attack which leads to the first corner of the game ...
1'		Kick-Off
		Behind the German referee Dr. Felix Brych both teams are coming onto the pitch in the Maracanã. It's Brych's second appearance at the 2014 World Cup. Just like the teams his performance wasn't perfect in the first match. During the match Costa Rica versus Uruguay he and his linesman oversaw an offside position which lead to a goal.
		The complete lineups can be found here
		As a reward both Fellaini and Mertens are starting today. They replace Moussa Dembélé and Nacer Chadli. Marc Wilmots is making a third change. Thomas Vermaelen will play as a left full-back instead of Jan Vertonghen.
		Just like Russia Belgium hadn't had a fully convincing start to the World Cup. Algeria gave the "Red Devils“ a hard time and were even able to go into the lead. But the side of Marc Wilmots fought back in the second half and showed some of its great potential, eventually winning by goals of Marouane Fellaini and Dries Mertens with 2:1.
		Although Kerzhakov and Dzagoev made a good impression they are not in the starting eleven today but will probably come on to the pitch at some point of the game. Capello still makes two changes in comparision to the match against South Korea. Aleksey Kozlov replaces Andrey Eshchenko as a right full-back and Maksim Kanunnikov will play on the left wing for Yuriy Zhirkov.
		Russia could not be happy with that first appearence in Brazil. The side of Italian coach Fabio Capello didn't create a lot of chances and allowed the South Korean attackers to get into good shooting positions in front of the Russian box. One of these shots lead to the goal against Russia with keeper Igor Akinfeev helping by slipping a harmless ball through his fingers. Only Aleksandr Kerzhakov and Alan Dzagoev saved their side when they came on during the second half with some good attacking spirit which lead to the 1:1 by Kerzhakov.
		Belgium could go through to the last sixteen if they win today's match after they won their first game against Algeria with 2:1. The Belgians profit from the fact that there was no winner in the other match of Group H. Russia and South Korea drew 1:1 in their first game.
		Commentating for you today is Maximilian Rieger. Have fun!
		Welcome to eleventh matchday of the World Cup 2014 in Brazil! Group H is starting its second round of matches with the duel of the European sides Belgium and Russia in the Maracanã and this game might set the course for both teams in the World Cup!