Russia raise the stakes

Russia 4 Switzerland 1

The powerful Bulykin, 23, playing in his second international, confirmed the good impression he made in Dublin with a dynamic performance. Where he had been strong and decisive against Ireland, particularly in defence, he was devastating in attack against Switzerland.

Russia maintained their habit of scoring four goals before their own fans in this tournament and in the process they played themselves back into contention for group honours.

Russia can now win the group and claim the one automatic qualifying place available for the finals in Portugal next summer if they beat Georgia in their final match in Moscow and Switzerland fail to beat Ireland in Basle. The more relevant point for Ireland is that Russia's win confirmed what most people accepted after the draw with Russia in Dublin on Saturday Ireland must beat Switzerland to survive and the probability is that they will be playing for the runners-up position and the play-off spot. The only consolation for Ireland from the Moscow spectacle was that it put into context Ireland's achievement in drawing with Russia at the weekend. Russia were brilliant against Switzerland and fully deserved their big win.

The contrast between the attitude of Russia in front of their own fans and the conservative, negative Russia we saw at Lansdowne Road could not have been more marked.

Against Ireland they had played with as much imagination, with as much adventure, as a goldfish in a bowl. They crowded round their penalty area and refused to be drawn out. Here they were sharp, incisive in their passing and ambitious in their approach.

In consequence, they were vulnerable on occasions in defence early in the game, and Switzerland might have caused them a lot more trouble had they taken advantage of early scoring chances.

But their only return during a time when they were calm and effective in their work was an own-goal from Russia defender Kariaka, under pressure from centre-forward Frei, in the 13th minute.

Russia equalised seven minutes later when Bulykin headed his first goal and from there they took control. They visibly grew in confidence as they enjoyed more and more success with the talented Mostovoi playing with elegant ease in central midfield and setting up the supply for their swift and elusive front-runners.

Bulykin, a leading goal-scorer in the Russian league with Dinamo Moscow, will surely be on his way to one of Europe's major clubs as he took the opportunity to promote his talent. He scored a wonderful solo goal to put Russia in front after 33 minutes and scored with another header after 59 minutes. It was left to Mostovoi to round it off with yet another header in the 72nd minute.

Russia's performances at home suggested they are the strongest team in the group and Ireland can take some encouragement from that. The hue and cry that followed Ireland's 2-4 defeat by them 12 months ago suggested people did not appreciate that Russia simply do not lose in Moscow.

They paid Ireland the compliment in Dublin of concentrating totally on defence, so much so that Bulykin was within his own penalty area to add his defensive strength in the air whenever Ireland had a free or a corner.

That said, however, it must be pointed out that Switzerland were short five regulars last night goalkeeper Stiel, full-back Haas, midfielders Cantaluppi, Magnin and Hakan Yakin. Cabanas earned a red card last night and will miss the Irish match but Switzerland will be much better with their chief playmaker, Hakan Yakin, in their team.

He was a huge loss to them and he showed how important he is to them when they beat Ireland 2-1 in Dublin last October. The veteran Chapuisat was an effective partner for their lively young centre-forward, Frei, and they will cause Ireland problems. But Switzerland looked so vulnerable in defence, particularly in the air, that Gary Doherty and Ireland should get some joy from their meeting in Basle on October 11.

RUSSIA (4-4-2): Ovchinnikov; Smertin, Ignashevich, Onopko, Solomatin (Sennikov 46); Gusev (Izmailov 55), Radimov, Mostovoi, Kariaka; Kerzhakov (Sychev 77), Bulykin.

SWITZERLAND (4-4-2): Zuberbuehler; Meyer, Henchoz, Yakin, Berner (Wicky 71); Cabanas, Vogel, Celestini, Muller (Huggel 63); Frei (Ramov 78), Chapuisat.

Referee: P. Collina (Italy).