Russia continued to assert their dominance and send a message to Portugal that Group F will be a titanic battle between the two sides. At the midway point of the half, Victor Fayzulin gathered a long pass beautifully at the top of the box. Fayzulin took one step and sent a looping cross to the six-yard box, from where a sprinting Kerzhakov volleyed home for his second and Russia's third. Alexander Samedov provided the service on the final Russian goal with Fayzulin hitting a simple side volley with his instep. With the 4-0 victory, Russia prove themselves to be the danger team in the group.
The fans in Belfast hoped that Northern Ireland would be able to snap an eight-game winless streak dating back one year in time. Jonny Evans played the two in a one-two-one with Dean Shiels, slotting a through ball between the Luxembourg center backs. Shiels stutter-stepped to gather his timing before chipping the onrushing goalkeeper to send Belfast into a frenzy with just under a quarter hour gone. Northern Ireland appeared to have a second, but the goal was disallowed for a foul committed by Kyle Lafferty. The home side were up 1-0 after the first forty-five minutes.
Northern Ireland continued to try their hardest to put the game away to no avail. Lafferty almost clinched it with fifteen to play, but Jonathan Joubert in the Luxembourg goal did well to get a touch. Three minutes later, Joubert saved from Jamie Ward. Five minutes after that, Steven Davis beat Joubert but not the near post, leaving the match still balanced at 1-1. Luxembourg took advantage of their one chance as Daniel Da Mota (pictured, red) fired from twenty-three yards and saw a deflection carry his ball safely into the net. Luxembourg snatch a draw 1-1 on the road.
Braga waited expectantly to see home side Portugal rout Azerbaijan. Portugal were the better team in the first period, which could not have been said of them four nights ago in Luxembourg. However, Portugal had the misfortune of striking three posts in the first period and scoring no goals. Azerbaijan drew the first frame 0-0.
Portugal began the second period with yet another post, leaving the team and their fans exasperated. Silvestre Varela was brought onto the pitch, and one minute later he had changed the tone. Helder Postiga backheeled a deflected shot into the path of Varela, who pushed home to give Portugal the 1-0 lead. Postiga half-volleyed home off a Cristiano Ronaldo header for a second goal for the Portuguese with under six minutes left in the match to finally make the advantage a comfortable 2-0. Bruno Alves added a third three minutes later off a header from a corner kick to make the scoreline more accurately reflect the match. Portugal win 3-0.
Russia 6 pts +6
Portugal 6 pts +4
Luxembourg 1 pts -1
N. Ireland 1 pts -2
Azerbaijan 1 pts -3
Israel 1 pts -4
Goals
Russia
Alexander Kerzhakov 7, 64
Alexander Kokorin 18
Victor Fayzulin 77
Northern Ireland
Dean Shiels 14
Luxembourg
Daniel Da Mota 86
Portugal
Silvestre Varela 64
Helder Postiga 85
Bruno Alves 88
Match Reports:
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1699399/index.html
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/columnists/steven-beacom/steven-beacom-the-night-northern-ireland-hit-rock-botton-16210034.html
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1699875/index.html
http://news.sudanvisiondaily.com/details.html?rsnpid=214120
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1699952/index.html
Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLt6ZbiYkXU (Russia v. Israel)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QI8icTxsz8Q (Luxembourg v. N. Ireland)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzG8mg7bEqs (Portugal v. Azerbaijan)
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