Brazil ease to victory over Russia in Moscow

Russia went into the game looking to show that they can compete on the pitch during this summer’s World Cup, whilst Brazil were looking for fresh attacking options given the absence of star man Neymar.

Brazil started well, dominating the ball and going close through Gabriel Jesus, but he could only fire straight at Igor Akinfeev after meeting Dani Alves cross from deep on the right.

A series of half-chances followed, before Aleksandr Samedov stung the palms of Alisson with Russia's first real effort of the game.

Douglas Costa responded for the visitors by lashing into the side-netting after beating his man on the outside just minutes later, but it was the hosts who would have the best chance of the half with the break approaching.

Fyodor Smolov did well to peel into space down the left and get to the byline and he pulled the ball perfectly into the path of Aleksei Miranchuk but the striker could only fire over from eight yards.

At that the two teams went in level at the break but things didn’t stay that way for long as Brazil’s superior quality shone through.

- Brazil flexed their muscles -

The ‘Seleçao’ should have opened the scoring within minutes of the restart when Willian fed Paulinho 12 yards out but his side-footed effort was kept out by Akinfeev.

With just six minutes of the second half gone Brazil did find the breakthrough, with Inter defender Joao Miranda prodding home at the far post after Akinfeev had palmed away Thiago Silva’s header.

There only looked like being one winner from there and Brazil quickly doubled their lead as Philippe Coutinho tucked home a penalty after Aleksandr Golovin pulled back Paulinho.

Just four minutes after that the lead was extended to three, Paulinho making amends for his earlier miss by heading home unmarked at the far post following good work from Willian.

The game was over as a contest at this point, but Russia went close to a consolation when Thiago Silva headed an Anton Miranchuk lob off the line.

In the end it was a comfortable victory for Brazil, though there will be much bigger tests ahead if they want to add to their haul of five World Cup titles this summer.

Russia, meanwhile, will have to be at their best if they are to progress much beyond the group stage at their home tournament.