Former world champions Russia qualified for the quarter-finals by edging debutants Belarus 5-3 in a tense encounter in Group C that had the drama and feel of a knockout round match.
After Belarus’s Aleh Hapon and Russia’s Boris Nikonorov scored early, Belarus jumped out into a two-goal lead by the first interval thanks to Ihar Bryshtsel’s quickly-dispatched bicycle kick and Ivan Kanstantsinau’s low drive
The second period was all Russia. Fedor Zemskov scored a special goal, coutesy of an acrobatic effort from a corner kick. Nikonorov then headed in his second on the night to bring the teams level going into the second interval.
Nikonorov completed his hat-trick when he headed in Vadzim Bokach’s bicycle kick at the back post. Dimitrii Shishin added a fifth and sealed the victory, keeping Russia's Paraguay 2019 dream alive as they now prepare for a quarter-final with holders Brazil.
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Quarter-finals - 28 November
[[flag-bra-xs]] Brazil - Russia [[flag-rus-xs]] (16:15 local time)
[[flag-blr-xs]] Belarus have been eliminated