The game was a reminder of the Italians’ regression in recent years, as an aging side has often struggled for energy levels, and scoring goals has become a real difficulty. Hopes of retaining their World Cup crown in Johannesburg next year are fading.
moreFor 88mins it looked like Dinijar Bilyaletdinov had sealed a good win for the home team with two goals, instead, Russia will hold only a fragile lead when the sides reconvene in Maribor on Wednesday.
moreThe victory leaves Portugal one win short of assuring a play-off spot after Denmark guaranteed top spot in Group 1 with a 1-0 home defeat of Sweden.
moreFootball is never won or lost on paper and the biggest game in Russian international football for a decade promised much for the hosts…they’d got the advantage of knowing the treacherous bounce of the Astroturf pitch better than their opponents. But it was still not to be on the night.
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