Shirokov lifts Russia to 1-0 win over Portugal in friendly

Posted November 14, 2015 6:00 am

The Associated Press

Russia's Oleg Kuzmin fights for the ball with Portugalâs Gonsalo Guedes, front, during an international friendly soccer match between Russia and Portugal in Krasnodar, Russia, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015. (AP Photo/Alexandr Mysyakin) The Associated Press

KRASNODAR, Russia (AP) - Roman Shirokov's 89th-minute goal gave Russia a 1-0 win over Portugal in a friendly Saturday, extending the winning start to new Russia coach Leonid Slutsky's reign.

A tight match was headed for a draw before Fyodor Smolov and Artyom Dzyuba combined on the counterattack to set up Shirokov, who scored with a calm finish.

The win is Russia's fifth in five games under Slutsky, who has overseen a dramatic improvement in the 2018 World Cup host nation's results since taking charge in August, including securing a place at next year's European Championship.

Portugal coach Fernando Santos used the game to grant a first international appearance to 18-year-old midfielders Goncalo Guedes and Ruben Neves, as well as forward Lucas Joao. Russia's only debutant was midfielder Vladislav Ignatyev.

Russia and Portugal soccer teams observe a minute of silence in memory of the victims of the Paris attacks, before their international friendly soccer match in Krasnodar, Russia, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015. (AP Photo/Alexandr Mysyakin) The Associated Press

Russia's Igor Denisov, left, fights for the ball with Portugal's Andre Andre during an international friendly soccer match between Russia and Portugal in Krasnodar, Russia, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015. (AP Photo/Alexandr Mysyakin) The Associated Press

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