The first big goalkeeping error of the 2014 FIFA World Cup almost cost Russia its opener against South Korea on Tuesday, but a late goal was good enough for a 1-1 draw in Group H.
The game at Arena Pantanal in Cuiaba, Brazil, was rather uneventful. Slow play and poor passing made for few scoring chances for either team in the first half. But in the 68th minute, Russian goalie Igor Akinfeev made an almost dire mistake.
Lee Keun-ho made a long-range shot, which should have resulted in a routine save by Akinfeev. Instead, the ball slipped through his hands, and he was unable to reverse his gaffe.
Luckily for Akinfeev and the rest of the Russian team, forward Aleksandr Kerzhakov came on as a substitute and scored in the 74th minute on one of his first touches.
The draw puts Russia and South Korea behind Belgium, which won its game against Algeria 2-1, in Group H.
