Portugal came out of the traps like a train, and when Ronaldo scored, one suspected this was going to be a cricket score. But a combination of keeper Igor Akinfeev – on his 100th appearance for Russia – and a commitment by the home side to take the game to Portugal in the second-half, made for an exciting finish. As early as the eighth minute a well worked move saw the visitors take the lead.
Bernardo Silva switched play out to the left where Guerreiro, the Borussia Dortmund full-back, had space to charge forward. A great cross to the back post found Ronaldo, completely unchallenged, who calmly headed home past Akinfeev. This was Ronaldo’s seventy-fourth goal for his country.
Early in the second-half André Silva, the striker who AC Milan recently signed from FC Porto for €38m, so nearly made it two. Silva headed the ball towards the far corner from five metres out but Akinfeev, who was going the wrong way, flung out a hand and tipped it wide.
An incredible save that gave Russia hope, but despite their late flourish it was the European champions who took the spoils. As long as Portugal avoid defeat against New Zealand on Saturday they will qualify for the semi-finals.