Veteran Zenit St. Petersburg defender Yuri Zhirkov picked up a knee injury during the Group B clash between Russia and Belgium at the weekend at the ongoing Euro 2020 tournament thus making him a big doubt for the next group game for the Russians.

Ex-DinamoMoscow left-back Yuri Zhirkovstarted the game against Belgium on the left side of defence but he could only play 43 minutes before succumbing to a knee injury. Yuri Zhirkov was replaced by.  teammateVyacheslavKaravayev at Russian Premier League champions Zenit St. Petersburg. At the time of the exit of the former Dinamo Moscow player, hosts Russia were trailing 2-0.

The Belgians took the lead as early as the tenth minute when Inter Milan striker RomeluLukaku pounced on the mistake from Akhmat Grozny defender Andrei Semeyonov. The goal from former Manchester United and Stoke City striker Lukaku took his tally to 61 goals for the Red Devils.

Russia never recovered from the mistake made by the aforementioned Semeyonov as Belgium went on to claim an emphatic win. The Belgians didn’t have to do too much to secure a big win thus highlighting their status as one of the favourites to win the tournament.

Belgium right wingback Thomas Meunier added a second goal for his team seven minutes after he came on as a substitute for the injured Timothy Castagne. Lukaku was a thorn in the flesh of the Russians and he wrapped up the game two minutes before the end to give his team a perfect start to the tournament.

Russia didn’t have the best of games against Belgium but they have the opportunity to make things right when they play debutants Finland in their second group game. Finland had won their debut game at the tournament following the slender 1-0 win over Denmark.