International Friendly
Result: Russia 1-0 Ghana
Date: 06 September 2016
Venue: Stadion Lokomotiv
Fyodor Smolov scored the only goal of the game to hand Russia a 1-0 win over Ghana in an international friendly on Tuesday evening.
Avram Grant named a strong Ghanaian line-up, which included the likes of Jordan Ayew, Christian Atsu and Atletico Madrid's Thomas Partey.
The Black Stars enjoyed an encouraging start to the game, but were unable to capatalise on the chances created by Atsu.
The Russians broke the deadlock after 20 minutes, as Smolov raced onto a well-weighted pass, before calmly slotting past Adam Kwarasey,
Ghana pushed for an equaliser and were nearly rewarded just before the break, but Atsu rattled the frame of the goal from the edge of the box.
The score remained 1-0 the hosts at the halftime break.
With the visitors trailing, Grant introduced Agyemang Badu for Partey, while Shayov Oleg replaced Gazinski Lurii after the hour-mark.
Russia looked more likely to get the next goal, but John Boye pulled off a goal-line clearance to deny the hosts a second goal in the 81st minute.
Nonetheless, the score remained 1-0 in favour to the Russians at the full-time whistle in the international friendly.
