Except USC's jerseys are a darker shade of red (cardinal), and ND usually had far more success against them than KSA did against the Russkies. The last ND-USC game with green-cardinal jerseys was 1962 in LA. (No. 1 USC won 25-0 to break a 5-game ND winning streak in the series. It turned out to be Joe Kuharich's final game; he quit the following spring.)
and he is the Saudi center defender and Captain. I can't wait to see Salah up against that guy.
Artem Dzyuba, at 6 foot 5 inches, looked like a giant when he substituted on in the second half. It is going to be fun watching some of these match-ups with opposing defenders.
Denis Cheryshev, subbed on when Dzagoev went down with a hamstring injury was a revelation, scoring two very nice looking goals.He has played in Spain his whole career (100 games with Real Madrid's Castilla B team). He is one of only two players playing outside of Russia. The other is the back-up goalie. How was he not a starter? Did they assume they were going to win anyway and were saving his legs? Is Russia making a statement about how it sees the future for players that leave the domestic league?
Not saying they’re dirty, but I can see this squad being every bit of the “Garra Charrua” - instead of just plain grit and fight when in do or die situations, this game may bring out the ugly and unsportsmanlike side of Uruguay if pinned against the wall.
Ask Ghana and Italy what it’s like to play them.
Than the USSoccer and the MLS. I didn't think that was possible until I saw the Russian lineup.
If Russia isn't good then Saudi Arabia is another level of bad.
Their performance doesn't make me excited for the 48 team World Cup.
Makes getting out a breeze or a nightmare depending who that third team is. I hate the 48 team field.
It was like a 2002 throwback show.