MATCH REPORT: FINLAND 0-1 RUSSIA

Photo credit: Kirill Kudryavtsev (Pool/Getty Images)

Russia won 1-0 over Finland to restore hope to their Euro 2020 campaign.

Atalanta’s playmaker Aleksei Miranchuk’s strike just before the break earned Stanislav Cherchesov’s men their first victory of the tournament.

The Eagle-Owls were looking to build on their shock triumph over Denmark the week before but spent much of the encounter on the backfoot to their neighbours. 

The hero of the last game Joel Pohjanpalo appeared to have handed them the dream start with a header after just four minutes, but the goal was correctly ruled out for offside.

Deflated, Markku Kanerva’s side struggled to find a rhythm after that and Russia began to create chances including talismanic striker Artem Dzyuba smacking the post with a header.

They made the breakthrough on 47 minutes through some neat footwork and an accurate finish from Miranchuk and the solitary goal was enough for the three points.

The result leaves everything to play for each side heading into the final Group B matches next week.

For Finland, the very difficult task is attempting to secure a result against the irresistible Belgium while Russia face Denmark, who could be all but out with a defeat against Roberto Martinez’s side tonight.