Russia 4-1 Czech Republic: Alan Dzagoev shines in routine victory

By Grant Russell

Alan Dzagoev was on target twice for Russia as they romped to an easy win over the Czech Republic in their opening Group A fixture.

The CSKA Moscow midfielder opened the scoring after 15 minutes, before lashing in his side’s third with 11 minutes left on the clock.

Roman Shirokov scored Russia’s second in the first half, with Roman Pavlyuchenko adding to the win with a fourth eight minutes from time.

Vaclav Pilar responded for the Czechs at 2-1, rounding Vyacheslav Malafeev seven minutes into the second period to put the Czechs back in contention.

Dzagoev opened the scoring after 15 minutes, with the midfielder following up after Aleksandr Kerzhakov’s header across goal came back off the post.

Shirokov then got in behind the Czech defence on to Andrei Arshavin’s pass, pipping Petr Cech to the ball before clipping it into the net.

Pilar’s strike gave the Czechs a chance of grabbing a point from the tie but their hopes were dashed as the half wore on, with Dzagoev latching on to a intricate through ball to fire home his side’s third.

Pavlyuchenko then put daylight between the two teams with a fine solo effort, cutting in from the left and taking on a number of defenders before beating Cech at his near post.

After the first round of games, Russia top Group A with three points, with Greece and Poland in joint second with a point each. Czech Republic prop up the group with no points after their defeat.

WATCH THE GOALS

Watch Alan Dzagoev’s opening goal against the Czech Republic

Watch Roman Shirokov scoring Russia’s second against the Czech Republic

Vaclav Pilar scores early in the second half for Czech Republic to pull it back to 2-1

Alan Dzagoev scores his second goal against the Czech Republic

Roman Pavlyuchenko makes it 4-1 to Russia against Czech Republic

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