Russia looked every inch the favourites to win Group A after a comfortable victory that could have been worse still for Czech Republic had Aleksandr Kerzhakov, the Russia centre forward, not blown a string of chances.
Alan Dzagoev scored twice and there were goals for Roman Shirokov and Roman Pavlyuchenko, after Dick Advocaat, the Russia coach, sent the former Tottenham Hotspur striker on for the wasteful Kerzhakov. Vaclav Pilar had provided some hope for the Czechs, scoring early in a second half his side began two goals down.
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