It’s the second game of Group H action as Russia take on South Korea from the Arena Pantanal in Cuiaba. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 8:00am (AEST).
Russia are playing in their first World Cup Finals since 2002, and they qualified in style.
Taking part in UEFA Qualifying Group F, they beat out group favourites Portugal to book the automatic ticket to Brazil 2014. Aleksandr Kerzhakov led their qualification goal scoring with five goals overall, while Aleksandr Kokorin also pitched in with four.
South Korea had to get to Brazil the hard way. They came second in Group A of AFC qualifying, but only managed to beat out Uzbekistan on goal differential. Lee Keun-Ho was the top scorer for the Korea Republic, tallying three markers during qualifying.
Russia will be looking to bad-boy Roman Shirokov to play well in these World Cup Finals. If he fires, they’ll be a very tough team to beat.
Also important for the Russians are CSKA Moscow defensive pairing Vasiliy Berezutskiy and Sergei Ignashevich. The two centre-backs combined to restrict opponents to only five goals in 10 qualifying matches.
South Korea have seen their golden generation pass, as they had a fourth place finish in their home World Cup of 2002.
For the modern side, Park Chu-Young is the key player. If he can show any of the form he had leading up to the 2010 World Cup finals, he will be a handful for any defence. His recent form has been poor at best, and a misfiring Park will surely see South Korea head for a timid exit from their group.
This game seems fairly straightforward on paper, but World Cups have a tendency of throwing the unexpected at you. I’m not brave enough to pick South Korea, but I think they’ll give this one a real shake.
Prediction: Russia 2-1
Mister Football
Roar Guru
That's the first round of the group stage games completed. Counting the Brazil vs Mexico game, we have now completed the first 17 games of the tournament. I'm proud to say that I've stayed up for all 17 games so far, and I intend to keep going. But this isn't about me, this is about us, the brotherhood we have formed in the early hours, staving off sleep deprivation to watch the world's best go at each other. Stay strong mes amis! Only the committed survive.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
As you said earlier in the game, both sides appeared to be chasing a 1-0 result. As soon as Russia needed to get serious, they became a threat, got the goal they needed, game came alive - that period of the game was certainly worth watching - but the earlier part of the game was an ordeal.
AZ_RBB
Guest
The fact that the game was fairly slow for the first hour or so, allowed at least for the final 20 or so to be a little more pacey and frenetic. Akinfeev might want to take an extended holiday after this World Cup. Not sure if Putin will like his work today.
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
FULL TIME Well, Akinfeev certainly owes Kerzhakov a nice steak dinner, as Kerzhakov rescued the former from being the goat of this game. South Korea scored first through Lee, but it was a lucky goal, as Akinfeev made a meal of it. Kerzhakov's equalizer came only a matter of minutes later. We have our third draw of Brazil 2014, as Russia and South Korea share the spoils. Russia have Belgium next, while South Korea will take on Algeria.
Johnno
Guest
Russian golaie so relieved.
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
90+3' South Korea are the only team that can score now, and even they may not have enough time. Referee blows his whistle, and that'll do it from Cuiaba. Russia 1 South Korea 1
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
90+3' Not much time left here for either side. Russia get a throw in in their attacking half. Maybe there's a final twist here? Ignashevich controls the ball across to Kombarov. Now Russia get into the area. Kokorin sends it across the face, but Samedov sends his effort way over the crossbar. That might do it Russia 1 South Korea 1
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
90 + 2' Free kick to South Korea. That'll give them a piggy-back out of defense. Koo has the ball fall at his feet just outside the area, but he can't get a kick away, and now Russia can go.
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
YELLOW CARD KOREA 90+1' We'll get 4 minutes of additional time here. Koo looks like he's been booked here for a challenge on Ignashevich. Samedov looks to be the one to take this free kick. The kick is meek, and Korea deal with it easily. Russia 1 South Korea 1
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
88' Samedov with a good cross in, but it's dealt with once again. Russia 0 South Korea 0
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
87' Dzagoev with a clever ball looking for Kerzhakov, but the defence is equal to the task. Now Kombarov gets a cross in, but the Kokorin header is poor. Russia 1 South Korea 1
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
85' Russia can go forward now through Samedov. He uses Denisov, who looks happy to back with the pass. Hopefully this isn't a sign of Russia's willingness to accept a draw. South Korea clear here. Russia 1 South Korea 1
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
84' Free kick against Ignashevich here, but it's too far out for any direct shot. Ki will take for Korea, and he just goes short looking for possession. Russia turns the ball over here, so Korea can attack again. Russia 1 South Korea 1
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
83' Does this match have another goal? Good ball into Kokorin, but he trips over himself before anything can really happen. Korea will clear easily via the goal kick. Russia 1 South Korea 1
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
SUBSTITUTION SOUTH KOREA Son comes off for Kim Bo-Kyung
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
81' Kombarov finds some space. Now Kokorin wins the ball just outside the area, but his shot is deflected. Now Dzagoev takes a shot, but this one is way to the left. Russia 1 South Korea 1
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
80' Kokorin forces the corner now, after some good work from Kerzhakov to get the ball forward. It's Kombarov to take, but this one is cleared by Son. Russia 1 South Korea 1
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
79' Both teams looking fatigued here. This game could really open up. Ki takes the corner, and it's Berezutski that clears or Russia. Now a turnover, but Korea wastes it as the cross in is straight to Akinfeev. Russia 1 South Korea 1
Johnno
Guest
Russia has such a well organised Capello defence.
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
78' Korea controlling the play in their attack half here. Son gets the opportunity to shoot, but it's deflected away by Berezutski. Now a free kick to Korea on the wing sees them regain possession. Lee has forced a corner here. Russia 1 South Korea 1