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Russia vs. Korea Republic: Goals, Highlights for World Cup Group H Game

Will Tidey@willtideyX.com LogoSenior Manager, GlobalJune 17, 2014

CUIABA, BRAZIL - JUNE 17:  Park Chu-Young of South Korea and Victor Fayzulin of Russia compete for the ball during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group H match between Russia and South Korea at Arena Pantanal on June 17, 2014 in Cuiaba, Brazil.  (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
AP

Russia and Korea Republic began their World Cup campaigns with a 1-1 draw in Group H on Tuesday.

The first half an hour was a cagey affair, with neither side creating a chance of note.

Russia had the first meaningful effort on goal. Sergei Ignashevich crashed a free-kick on goal, but it was pushed away by Korea goalkeeper Jung Sung-ryong.

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Korea Republic responded well, creating a few chances of their own. One of the best fell to Son Heung-min, only for this for to happen.

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The two teams went into the break at 0-0.

The first real chance of the second half went to Russia's captain Vasily Berezutskiy. His powerful header was inches away from putting Russia ahead—hitting the side netting instead.

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Korea were next to threaten, from a free-kick. Kim Young-gwon produced a clean strike, and it almost caught out Russia's goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev.

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Akinfeev was having a shaky night and you felt a costly mistake was coming. It duly arrived when Lee Keun-ho's shot embarrassed him on 68 minutes.

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Russia responded when substitute Aleksandr Kerzhakov pounced to equalise on 74 minutes.

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Chances for both sides followed, but they ultimately settled for a point each.

You can read the live account of the match here.