Russia 0-1 Argentina
Sergio Aguero scored the winner as Argentina beat the World Cup hosts in their own back yard.
After a huge scare in qualifying, Argentina can now look forward to a cup campaign and, after a dominant display against Russia, they look good for football bets next Summer. Jorge Sampaoli’s team qualified with a dramatic win in Ecuador, thanks to a Lionel Messi hat-trick, but this performance showed he has more at his disposal than just the Barca genius.
The pre-match handicap betting offer was for Argentina to win at 1.91 with a -0.75 handicap, and so it proved, as man-of-the-match Aguero tormented the Russian defence for 90 minutes.
Stanislav Cherchesov was appointed head coach of Russia, last year, with the target of reaching the semi-finals on home turf and that will be a tough ask. But his team was unbeaten in five, prior to this game, and the hosts started brightly; but the first on-target attempt came from Argentina when Lionel Messi teed up Angel Di Maria who fired low towards the corner to see his shot saved. Sergio Aguero tested the keeper again, and then just before the break he latched onto a cross from Manchester City team-mate Nicolas Otamendi only to be denied once more.
More of the same followed in the second half as Aguero headed narrowly over on 56 minutes, but then moments later there was a chance at the other end when Denis Glushakov tried his luck, but shot weakly.
Argentina continued to press with Otamendi, twice, and Aguero coming close again while Lionel Messi shot from distance but narrowly wide. And then, finally, Aguero got his reward, heading the winner on 86 minutes.
Credit to the hosts, they almost kept a talented Argentina side at bay; but on this showing Russia will have to improve massively to get near the Semi Finals. Argentina though, delighted and relieved to be there, could even win it.
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
