Russians signal intent with crushing victory

Russia went top of Group A as Alan Dzagoev’s double helped them to an impressive victory over the Czech Republic at the Municipal Stadium in Wroclaw last night.

Despite being favourites to top the group, Russia took almost a quarter of an hour to muster a meaningful attack, and when they did they came close to taking the lead. Andrey Arshavin brilliantly played in Yuri Zhirkov near the left-hand byline but striker Aleksandr Kerzhakov steered his effort wide.

But it was a brief reprieve for the Czechs as Alan Dzagoev drove at the heart of their defence to tee Konstantin Zyryanov up for a cross that was headed against the post by Kerzhakov, Dzagoev followed up to slam home.