Russia struck 5 second-half targets as they routed visiting Cyprus 6-0 of their Group H World Cup qualifier on Thursday night forward of a decisive conflict with Croatia this weekend for an computerized berth in subsequent 12 months’s match in Qatar.
The Russians high the group on 22 factors from 9 video games, two forward of 2018 World Cup runners-up Croatia who stayed in rivalry to leapfrog them with a 7-1 demolition of Malta nL8N2S280X.
The outcomes have arrange a high-octane conflict in Croatia’s coastal metropolis of Cut up on Sunday, with Russia needing at the very least a draw to carry on to high spot and ebook their ticket.
The runners-up go into the playoffs in March.
Russia’s Aleksandr Erokhin scored in every half at residence to Cyprus, with Fedor Smolov, Andrey Mostovoy, Aleksei Sutormin and Anton Zabolotny additionally on course within the final 35 minutes.
A cross by Russia’s Aleksei Sutormin from the best flank discovered striker Smolov within the field abd he arrange an unmarked Erokhin for a tap-in after 4 minutes.
Smolov made it 2-0 within the fifty fifth and fewer than a minute later Mostovoy outfoxed three defenders with some fancy footwork to make it 3-0, beating keeper Demetris Demetriou to his far left.
Sutormin headed previous Demetriou within the 62nd minute after a defensive blunder, whereas Zabolotny scored Russia’s fifth with a low strike. Erokhin added his second of the evening within the 87th to spherical off an emphatic victory by the hosts.
Cyprus, backside of the group with 5 factors, tackle Slovenia, who’re in fourth place on 11, of their final recreation. (Reuters)