CUIABA, Brazil (AP) — Blundering Russia goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev was bailed out by teammate Alexander Kerzhakov in a 1-1 draw with South Korea in the World Cup on Tuesday that exposed both teams’ deficiencies.
Akinfeev had already looked suspect in dealing with long-range shots before spilling Lee Keun-ho’s speculative effort into his own net in the 68th minute, gifting South Korea the lead at the Arena Pantanal.
Kerzhakov, though, came to Akinfeev’s rescue by turning in a shot from close range six minutes later — just three minutes after coming on as a substitute — to earn Russia a point from a poor-quality Group H match.
Akinfeev stayed on the ground inside his own net, head in his hands, after making his error, clearly embarrassed after dropping what was a routine save from a shot from about 30 yards. He was consoled by a couple of teammates, who patted him on the back.
Group H Standings
Wins
Losses
Draws
Goals For
Goals Against
Points
Belgium
1
0
0
2
1
3
Russia
0
0
1
1
1
1
South Korea
0
0
1
1
1
1
Algeria
0
1
0
1
2
0
Schedule and results
Tuesday, June 17 – Belgium 2, Algeria 1 at Belo Horizonte
Tuesday, June 17 – Russia 1, South Korea 1 at Cuiaba
Sunday, June 22 – Noon: Belgium vs Russia at Rio de Janeiro
Sunday, June 22 – 3 p.m.: Algeria vs South Korea at Porto Alegre
Thursday, June 26 – 4 p.m.: Belgium vs South Korea at Sao Paulo
Thursday, June 26 – 4 p.m: Algeria vs Russia at Curitiba
