Ronaldo header takes Portugal to the top

Portugal could not have hoped for a better start to the clash, as Russia sat back in their own half allowing the visitors enough time and space to knock the ball around at ease.

Manchester City signing Bernardo Silva looked lively in the early exchanges, eager to get on the ball. The former Monaco man released Guerreiro down the left, and the full-back swung in an inviting cross for Ronaldo at the back post to fire a header into the back of the net. Not the start Russia had hoped for, with Ronaldo's 74th international goal forcing them to come out of their shell.

With Portugal controlling much of the play, Russia showed flahes of hope throughout the entire first half which reminded Fernando Santos' team that the job was not finished.

Ronaldo came close to giving his team some breathing space around the half-hour mark when he struck a fierce shot towards goal from a tight angle, but Akinfeev got down well to clear the ball with his legs.

Russia came out to the second half looking a much changed side, going forward in numbers and putting Portugal under pressure. Despite this, the away team were always a looming threat, forcing Akinfeev to pull off good saves first to get a hand to Andre Silva's header, and then to deny Cedric Soares' long-range swerving strike.

The match went into a frantic stage with chances at either end, and Russia looking likely to score before Portugal broke up the play to stall the hosts' momentum.

The closing minutes looked quite scrappy, and Russia only enjoyed some of their best chances once the game had entered stoppage time. They tested Rui Patricio and brought the game right down to the wire, but Portugal earned a deserved win.