why lost the Russian team – Sports Mail.Ru

Smolov summed up the national team

Supporters who left the stands after the match did not even try to contain their resentment. Some of the audience applauded the team and shouted "Bravo!". From the others – they swore to what the light costs, Feodor Smolov. Disappointment for the strikers of "Krasnodar" united on Sunday evening simple supporters and those who watched the game in comfortable box VIP conditions.

Dissatisfaction with the game, expressed, as they say, old and young.

"[1945:009]" – a respectable football fan turned his hands to the sky.

"Why was he even released on the ground?" – echoes a boy about eight years old.

Croats? – asked an unexpected question to the correspondent of "Gazety.Ru" another televiewer . "So, come on." I would now like Croats … Or Smolov. "

Fedor's 36th match for the national team and the truth failed." The 28-year-old striker appeared on the field in the middle of the second half – in the 67th minute, replacing the author of the first Russian goal Denis Cheryshev

I must say that the stands did not understand this decision of Stanislav Cherchesov Cheryshev was active and willingly go ahead, trying to create, if not a threat , the tension at the gates of Daniel Subasic.

However, the coach was more visible – so he released the second striker in twinning with Artem Dzyube. And soon removed that by sending Smolov to the point.

World Cup was formed for the double best scorer of the ambiguous Premier League . It was included in the starting list for the first match with Saudi Arabia, but it was not very well shown and gave way to Dzyu be, who immediately scored.

Smolov appeared at best during the matches. The main attacker of the team was Dzyuba

In the match against the Croatians, Fedor had a wonderful opportunity to open, finally, an account to his balls on the World Cup. And – what the hell is not kidding – to bring Russia a ticket for the semifinals.

In the middle of the first extra time, the Croats almost for the first time in the match were grossly mistaken at their doors. Lost the ball, and it was immediately launched into the penalty area in Smolova. The stadium is frozen in anticipation of a miracle. However, Fyodor did not seem to think of trying to hit, but preferred to fall in the hope of a penalty.

The judge did not smile. A video replay eliminated all the questions: Smolov voluntarily went to the "fault" and fell as picturesquely …

Literally in the next attack our opponents broke in front (2: 1). And again, there was an attacker, whose non-optimal physical preparation was noted by many specialists in the previous days.

Now Smolov was on his way to the ball after Domagoi Vidy's shot. But he was only looking at him. And at the same time he closed the magazine of Igor Akinfeev, who could not take this threat to his doors.

Yes, Smolov sincerely wanted to help his partners with a dangerous standard, so he found himself in the free kick of someone else. For this we give the player due. Which, moreover, does not justify it in any way.

It is all the more surprising that Cherchesov entrusted Smolov with the right to execute the first shot in the 11-meter series. The idea initially did not seem the most obvious. There is Serguei Ignashevich with nerves of iron who for many years slammed the penalty lightly and almost always without any chance for the goalkeepers

Smolov tried to break into a trick, in the Panenka style. To the disappointment of the whole of Russia, sent the ball is very convenient for Subashich. The man, who had already fallen into a corner, faced the shot with his left hand. And although almost immediately the partners have corrected Fyodor 's mistake, the next mistake, already Fernandez, has proved fatal.

The limit of luck was exhausted

Of course, it would be a crime to say that the Russians won by chance. On the contrary, the national team fought against more masterful opponents in many respects because of incredible dedication and struggle in every sector of the field. But luck was often on our side.

We all participated in a match against Saudi Arabia, Egypt scored for itself and Spain had three times more possession of the ball and an order of magnitude more dangerous. lucky and in a match with the Croats. Remember at least one stroke of Ivan Perisic's bar in the middle of the second half

But in the penalty penalty penalty still diverted.

Someday it should have happened. At a slight blow, Smolov's keeper reacted only at the last moment, and Akinfeev hit Modrica's shot from the barrel that slipped into the door. It happens, it's football. It remains to say "thank you" to Fortune, because it gave us a victory over the Spaniards.

Croats have not worn historically. Remember at least the dramatic quarterfinal of Euro-2008, when the "ladies" scored in Turkey in the 119th minute, but missed the response to the 122nd and lost on penalties. It seems that fate has now made the Balkans team debt

Fitness was not enough

It's no secret that all the best teams are fit for the matches decisive for the World Cup. That is why the French scored only three goals in the group, the Belgians almost lost to Japan, and only England morally strong will ripped the victory in a duel with the Tunisia. Now, all these teams in the semi-finals with Croatia will determine the owner of the coveted cup.

In the second half, it was obvious that the opponent is superior to the Russian team in the movement. "Checkers" constantly pressed our defense, and tired football players Stanislav Cherchesova had only to fight back.

Despite incredible physical fatigue, the Russian team found the strength to continue the attack in the second half and managed to equalize the score. However, fatigue was felt in shots on goal. The author of so important for the guests of the ball Mario Fernandez pbaded the door. In another situation, he would have (and probably would have scored) ten times out of ten. But this time, there was not enough strength. Physics and Morality

In this situation, it is difficult to criticize the guys. I just want to say "thank you". They have already done much more than they could.

The opponent turned out to be stronger

It is clear that in the other half of the squad, there was no bad. The composition of Croatia is more impressive than ours by name and by the clubs the players play.

And if Ivan Rakitic of Barcelona did not hold the match as clearly as he could, then Luca Modrica, star of Real Madrid there was a threat. It was noticeable: the Russians paid particular attention to the neutralization of the Croatian leader. Often, when receiving the ball, he was greeted by two opponents

Nevertheless, the miniature midfielder received the shot, dispersed himself and attempted to break through, or – more often – sought the partner with a hot transmission. minutes at the end. But the rest of the team left an entire impression. What the Croats do not have, so is the ability to bear, to pull your "on the teeth". Earn two consecutive penalties – this achievement is close to the single. The nerves of the Croatian penaltists were stronger than ours. The Croatian character is a more obvious "chip" of this championship.

Dmitry Okunev, Konstantin Lesik (Sochi)