UEFA Champions League: Rubin Kazan versus Copenhagen: Full Time Report
Score line: Rubin Kazan 1 45′ (PG) Christian Noboa Copenhagen 0
Venue: Central'nyj stadion Kazan' — Kazan'
Referee: M. Atkinson
Rubin Kazan Subs: Arlauskis, Kuzmin, Bystrov, Salukvadze, Murawski, Balyaikin, Medvedev
Copenhagen Subs: Christensen, Santin, Larsson, Kristensen, Zohore, Oviedo, Delaney
The first half penalty from Christian Noboa proved enough to give Rubin Kazan their first UEFA Champions League win and also a lifeline to qualify for the Round of 16 in European elite football competition.
Christian Noboa made no mistake on the stroke of half-time after Copenhagen defender handled in the box in a generally poor game that saw the previously exciting visitors play negatively in a match that, had they won, would have seen them qualify.
Kenneth Zohore, the teenage sensation of Danish champions was denied last-gasp equalizer by a tremendous save from Kazan keeper but without a doubt, the Russian champions deserved a win that also keeps their hopes alive.
The Danish Giants, Copenhagen are still on the second position behind Group D leaders Barcelona. However, a win for Kazan tonight also put them a point less than Copenhagen with one match remaining. So the fate of these two teams would decide on the 6th
match day when Rubin will play Panathinaikos and Copenhagen will play against Barcelona.
The hosts began the second half with more attacking intent and started to keep the possession in order to dominate the match.
However, the best early chance fell to Copenhagen though, as Jorgensen got forward from right flank and smashed in a shot that was well saved by Russian keeper.
As the second half wore on, Kazan bombarded visitors’ box in search for a second goal that would surely seal three points for them.
But the Danish champions looked dangerous on the break, with Antonsson denied an effort on goal by a superb block from Korilenko.
The Rubin skipper Noala was a best performer for the Russian champions, getting the better of visitors’ goalie down the right wing, but he was not helped by a lack of movement from central runners.
Ultimately, Kazan seemed willing to settle for a narrow win, as the Danish champions started to press for an equaliser.
Both keepers were not hugely troubled, with the visitors’ best effort was a low shot which was exceptionally blocked by the Russian keeper. On the other hand, Wiland, Copenhagen keeper hardly had to touch the ball.
However, with a quarter of an hour left, Copenhagen boss made a substitution and brought on his best super sub the 16-year-old striker Zohore. Since his substitution, the young Danish prodigy started to create trouble for the hosts and even the best effort
of Copenhagen came from this wonder kid, when he tried a shot outside of the box, which was somehow saved by Kazan keeper.
Despite all the pressure on his goal, Ryzhikov, the Tatars keeper remained calmed and composed and handled the opposition very well.
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