Match Report
Russia, 2nd with 22 points, sat 17 points above Malta (6th, 5). Recent form told a different story for Malta: only 47th in the league over the last five rounds despite sitting 6th. In league terms the two rates read 1.9/0.6 for Russia and 0.9/3 for Malta (scored/conceded per game); the competition average is 1.53.
Malta had been beaten in three straight games.
Otkrytiye Arena in Moskva staged the fixture, a ground that holds 16,500. Half-time and full-time told different stories: Russia led 1-0 at the break, before 1 more goal closed it at 2-0.