Russia enjoyed a fairytale start to the 2018 World Cup, capturing the imagination of the Russian fans with a 5-0 thrashing of Saudi Arabia in their opening group match. Russia continued their winning ways with a convincing 3-1 drubbing of Egypt in their second match, making them the highest scoring team in the 2018 World Cup at the point of time. It was then that the Russian fans finally dared to dream and to believe after all the criticism that had been leveled at the host nation prior to the start of the World Cup.
But all those hopes and dreams came crashing back down in Samara as Uruguay put Russia to the sword, romping to an easy 3-0 win while barely breaking a sweat. Granted, the Uruguayans were helped by the sending off of Russian defender Igor Smolnikov who earned 2 successive yellow cards in the span of 9 minutes. Smolnikov slid in on Diego Laxalt in the 36th minute, mowing down the Uruguayan midfielder and leaving referee Malang Diedhiou with no choice but to give Smolnikov his marching orders. The outcome of the game was never in doubt prior to the red card but Russia certainly had their work cut out for them after they were left to play the remaining match with only 10 men.
Controversy surrounds Uruguay's first goal which was scored by Luis Suarez in the 10th minute after they were awarded a free kick at the edge of the penalty area. After the referee whistled for the free kick to be taken, Russian defender Sergey Ignashevich pushes 2 Uruguay players behind the Russian wall and inexplicably creating an open space through which Suarez had all the time in the world to shoot and score. Conspiracy theories have been bandied around especially since Russian goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev made a seemingly unnecessary hop to reposition himself when Suarez struck the ball.
It was suggested that Akinfeev might have instructed Ignashevich to clear the Uruguay players from the wall to allow the goalkeeper a clear view of the ball. But that seemed counter-intuitive given the position of the free kick and the scoring ability of Luis Suarez. It would also prove to be a mistake from which Russia would never recover.
13 minutes later, Uruguay would be 2-0 up, courtesy of an own goal from Denis Cheryshev. An Uruguay corner found its way to Diego Laxalt who took a wild swing at the ball from long distance. It should never have made it anywhere near the Russian goal but Cheryshev, the Russian top goalscorer with 3 goals to his name, happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and the shot took a deflection off his knee to put it just out of reach of Igor Akinfeev.
Cheryshev would make way in the 38th minute when the Russian coach made the tactical decision to bring on defender Mario Fernandes in an attempt to shore up the defence following Smolnikov's sending off. Cheryshev would register the only shot on target for the Russians and with him out of the way, Russia did not pose any threat to Uruguay for the remainder of the match. When Edinson Cavani poked home a loose ball in the 6 yard box from another Uruguay corner, it was as much a formality as a statement to Uruguay's domination of the match.
Russia will face Spain in the Luzhniki Stadium on 1st July 2018 in the Round of 16. Given the pedigree of their opponents, Russia would need to pull off a miracle to have any chance of making it into the quarterfinals. But as they say, the ball is round and anything can happen in football. If Spain plays the way they have been playing this tournament, Russia might just have a chance of edging it.
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