That's that and Portugal have one foot in the semifinals as they move atop the group with 4 points. Russia were abysmal in the first half and rather good in the second but paid the price for a moment of defensive slackness in the first and some lacklustre finishing in the second.
As ever, Ronaldo does it for his team. This man. Phew!
That's all from me after a wonderfully entertaining match - thank you for reading - Anirudh Menon signing out
94' AOOOGAAA! THAT WAS THE CHANCE! Erokhin cushioned a Bukharov header straight onto the path of Smolov but the striker's shot curled well wide of the goal!
93' Russia rampage forward again and with even Ronaldo in his defensive third, Portugal batten down the hatches. Smolov is found on the right and the big man sends it harmlessly into the hands of Rui Patricio
92' OH RUI PATRICIO! Zhirkov sent in another floater that the Portuguese keeper palmed away after seemingly having lost his bearings and it's a corner.... OH MY OH MY OH MY! DZHIKIA LEAPS HIGHEST TO SMASH SAMEDOV'S EXCELLENT DELIVERY JUST INCHES WIDE OF PATRICIO'S GOAL!
91' FOUR MINUTES OF ADDED TIME - Silva tries to flick one through for Ronaldo but the goalscorer can't get it under control. At the other end Zhirkov flings one but Eliseu does well to head it wide
86' Smolov makes a nuisance of himself in the Portuguese box, but he's doing it while being offside and Portugal escape to the Russian half where Bernardo Silva wins them a smart freekick
85' Russia move forward with the enterprising Golovin but Bukharov can't get it under control. Silva breaks and shows some lovely quick feet to rid himself of Zhirkov but Ronaldo's extravagant attempt at a backheel give-and-go doesn't really pay off.
83' Russia are throwing the kitchen sink at this as Fedor Kudryashov is taken for Aleksander Bukharov. A centre back for a centre forward is just what the occasion called for
81' Russia seem a touch spent - or maybe they are readying themselves for a final all-out assault - either way the ball, and the momentum, is right back with Portugal.
79' Russia need to keep their heads about them, too many cheap fouls are being given away, wasting the head of steam they'd built up in the last ten minutes or so. Smolov the latest culprit
77' Adrien Silva floats in a long ball but it bounces off William Cavalho (you can almost hear the comical *pling*) and out for a goalkick. Santos then hooks young Andre Silva to fling on just-as-young Gelson Martins. Ronaldo will now be up top on his own.
75' Silva is still playing some gorgeous football - one outside of the boot crossfield to Eliseu stands out - and the Portuguese are passing it around with the sole intention of sucking Russia's momentum dry.
73' OH SILVA! Andre Silva is released on the edge of the box by a clever Gomes ball but he takes too long and Vasin is able to fling himself into a marvelous block. Boy does the stadium love this show of spunk from their underdog team
72' Poloz is terrifying Eliseu but the left back holds his ground and another Portugal counter is stopped by Dzhikkii pulling down Andre Silva. Lucky to escape with just a talking to!
71' Glushikov's delivery is excellent and the ball pinballs around the box before Dzhikiia hammers into Pepe - who as one would suspect makes the most of it by rolling around and sucking the wind out of Russia's sails. The big Russian goes into the book, by the by
68' OH! Samedov sends in a lovely little ball that Pepe clears brilliantly, but Russia still have the ball all to themselves as Zhirkov and Samedov take in turns again to swing it in...
66' This is proper end to end stuff as Yuri Zhirkov pulls off a stunning piece of skill to almost break into the box. Nothing doing, though. Substitutions galore as Eliseu replaces an injured Raphael Guerrero and Poloz is thrown to replace the wing-back Kombarov... Russia are going all in and why not!
64' Portugal counter again with Ronaldo and the Portuguese skipper slips in Silva, who draws the defence and lays it off to Ronaldo again- the great man, though, is having an off half and he sends his shot into orbit.
That's that and Portugal have one foot in the semifinals as they move atop the group with 4 points. Russia were abysmal in the first half and rather good in the second but paid the price for a moment of defensive slackness in the first and some lacklustre finishing in the second.
As ever, Ronaldo does it for his team. This man. Phew!
That's all from me after a wonderfully entertaining match - thank you for reading - Anirudh Menon signing out
Toodle-ooo