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Russia 2 - 0 Sweden

Arshavin stars as Russia oust Sweden

Guus Hiddink's gamble of taking the previously suspended Andrei Arshavin to UEFA EURO 2008™ paid off in spectacular fashion with the forward putting in a fine performance as Russia downed Sweden by 2-0 to set up a quarter-final date with the Netherlands in Basel on Saturday.

Stars in place
The FC Zenit St. Petersburg player was a constant menace to Sweden, scoring Russia's second goal and striking the post in the second half. With most of the talk in the build-up to the Group D game centering around Arshavin and Zlatan Ibrahimović, the news that both were to start came as something of a surprise. Russia coach Guus Hiddink had hinted that Arshavin was not match fit while the condition of Ibrahimović's knee meant that the FC Internazionale Milano striker was a doubt up until the last minute.

Aggressive start
Russia stayed true to Hiddink's promise that his side would be hunting victory from the first minute. In the opening stages, Arshavin's pass into the centre saw Igor Semshov and Diniyar Bilyaletdinov collide when they had the goal at their mercy but Sweden threatened shortly afterwards when a centre from Anders Svensson found Ibrahimović, only for the striker's downward header to be collected by Igor Akinfeev with Henrik Larsson lurking.

Fine opener
Arshavin and Bilyaletdinov both missed chances as the quarter hour approached before the former sent in a cross-shot that Andreas Isaksson tipped over. From Konstantin Zyryanov's resulting corner Yuri Zhirkov's thunderous shot zipped just wide. Then, in the 24th minute Russia's moment arrived. Arshavin released Zyryanov on the right and the midfielder in turn found Aleksandr Anyukov's run inside the area. The right back rolled a pass to Roman Pavlyuchenko and the tall striker calmly finished for his second goal of the tournament. Sweden almost drew level moments later but Larsson's header from a Mikael Nilsson cross hit the top of the crossbar. Pavlyuchenko then saw a shot bounce back off the upright after another slick move involving Arshavin and Bilyaletdinov.

Lead doubled
Five minutes after the break and Russia had their second of the game. Makeshift left back Yuri Zhirkov found himself racing away past the Swedish defence before he centred for returning hero Arshavin, who had no problem directing the ball past Isaksson's right hand. Sweden were visibly rocked and although their players began to react in the final third of the pitch, the best they could manage was an Olof Mellberg header that flew harmlessly over Akinfeev's crossbar. It was turning in to the Andrei Arshavin show and after midfielder was booked for upending substitute Kim Källström he was almost through on goal again but was finally outmuscled by Fredrik Stoor.

Spurned chances
With the game going into its closing stages Russia should have had a third goal after creating a number of late chances. Zyryanov went close when his deflected shot came back off the post before Pavlyuchenko spurned two great opportunities, firstly heading straight into the grateful hands of Isaksson and then mis-hitting a shot with only the keeper to beat.

euro2008.uefa.com - Tournament - Matches