By Samindra Kunti in Moscow
Moscow – The Luzhniki Stadium, Russia’s flagship venue for this summer’s World Cup, has staged a successful second test-run, a much-anticipated friendly between Russia and Brazil. The stadium will host the opening game and the final of the World Cup.
A sizable crowd of 65,000 flocked to the stadium, on the banks of the Moskva River, on a cold and breezy night in the Russian capital to watch Russia take on five-times world champions Brazil. Ahead of the quadrennial high mass this June and July the Luzhniki Stadium has received a facelift, costing more than €300 million.
Last November the stadium was reopened, but with a capacity crowd of 78,750 fans in the stands to watch Argentina and Lionel Messi, chaos ensued after the final whistle as public transport struggled to cope. Fans were left waiting for hours at the two metro stations that serve the Luzhniki Stadium. On the night, Sergio Aguero’s 86th minute strike was the difference between the two sides.
On Friday, there were few problems. If access to the stadium was complicated with Moscow’s notorious traffic gridlock and plenty of road blocks, fans exited the ground without problems this time. It was a successful test event and the venue was declared ready to host World Cup matches. FIFA still has concerns about a number of other venues, which face a race against the clock to get ready in time.
In the game itself, the home crowd had endured a torrid 90 minutes after Brazil ran out comfortable 3-0 winners. Even without Neymar, the Brazilians imposed their will in the second stanza. A combative home side went toe-to-toe for 45 minutes, breaking on the counterattack, but didn’t score. Once Miranda opened the scoring, there was no way back for the Russians and Brazil dealt the hosts knockout blows with goals from Coutinho and Paulinho in quick succession.
On June 14 the Luzhniki Stadium will host the opening game of the World Cup between the hosts and Saudi Arabia. The venue will stage a further six matches, including the final on July 15. In the past the stadium has hosted the Champions League final, the 2013 athletics world championships and the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games.
Contact the writer of this story Samindra Kunti at moc.l1713511396labto1713511396ofdlr1713511396owedi1713511396sni@o1713511396fni1713511396