Russia also had chances in a high-tempo first half with Igor Semshov firing wide after a solo run after 17 minutes and KonstantinZyryanov was denied by the woodwork after the Spanish defense failed to clear six minutes later.
KonstantinZyryanov and Aleksandr Anyukov were a constant threat and they forged the first clear openings of the match when twice they combined to get behind the United defence, only for Pogrebnyak to spoon over when well positioned on both occasions.