Sports News | Croatia Draws with New-look Russia in World Cup Qualifying

Moscow, Sep 2 (AP) Croatia drew 0-0 with a new-look Russia team to stay atop its World Cup qualifying group as tiny Malta secured a commanding win.

There were few chances for either team to score in a cagey match at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium on Wednesday, where Croatia lost the 2018 World Cup final to France. Croatia and Russia have seven points apiece in Group H but the Croatians are ahead on goal difference.

Also Read | 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games Live Updates Day 9: Aruna Devi Advances To Quarterfinal in Women’s Taekwondo.

It was the first game in charge for new Russia coach Valery Karpin, who replaced Stanislav Cherchesov after Russia failed to advance from its group at the European Championship.

Karpin gave a start to 18-year-old Dynamo Moscow winger Arsen Zakharyan, who became the youngest outfield player in Russia's history and the second-youngest player overall behind goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev. There was also a debut off the bench for left-back Ilya Samoshnikov.

Also Read | Jimmy Connors Birthday Special: Have a Look at His Splendid Victories at Grand Slams.

Slovakia missed its chance to overtake Russia and Croatia for first place with a 1-1 draw against Slovenia. That was the Slovakians' third draw in four games.

Malta won its first World Cup qualifier in eight years, beating Cyprus 3-0 with two goals from right-back Cain Attard. That took Malta to its fifth win in 12 months, including friendlies and the Nations League. AP

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)