If you tuned in hoping for a goal fest, you'll be disappointed. On the bright side, at least Argentina haven't struggled like they have so many times this year.
90'
Four minutes added on, still time for another goal but we may be pushing our luck.
88'
A. Zabolotny enters the game and replaces K. Rausch.
Running out of fingers to count the substitutions on now, as Russia replace Raush with Zabolotnyi.
87'
É. Banega enters the game and replaces E. Pérez.
P. Dybala enters the game and replaces S. Agüero.
That is also Aguero's last contribution to the match and he's replaced by Dybala, having netted his 35th goal for the national side.
Ever Banega is an absolute joy to watch but we won't see too much of him here, as he comes on to replace Enzo Perez.
86'
S. Agüero has scored a goal for Argentina!
GOAL! Finally! Russia's defence has been breached, Akinfeev is finally beaten! Messi unleashes Pavon out wide, though he appeared to be offside, and the debutant cut the ball back to Sergio Aguero. His initial shot was blocked by Dzhikiya but it took Akinfeev out of the game, allowing Aguero to head home.
84'
Russia on course to avoid defeat against Argentina for the first time. They've only played twice prior to this to be fair, with Argentina winning 3-2 in a friendly back in 2009 and 2-0 in the 1990 World Cup against the Soviet Union.
82'
Aleksey Miranchuk enters the game and replaces A. Kokorin.
At least the substitutes are keeping us occupied. Another Russian change, as Kokorin is replaced by Miranchuk.
81'
SAVE! That was different! Romero is forced to palm a corner off his line and Argentina win a free-kick.
80'
Had this been an England game at Wembley, the pitch would be littered with paper planes right now. I'm not sure what the Russian equivalent for that is, in all honesty.
78'
C. Pavón enters the game and replaces E. Salvio.
It's not Dybala but we do at least get another attacker. Boca Juniors' Cristian Pavon takes to the field, replacing Eduardo Salvio. He can play through the middle but it looks like he'll line-up on the right here.
Minute
Description
77'
If you listen quietly, you can almost here the game screaming for Paulo Dybala to be introduced.
75'
D. Perotti enters the game and replaces Á. Di María.
There is an Argentina change, with Roma's Perotti replacing Di Maria, in a move that suggests Alejandro Gomez will operate on the wings with Perotti sat in central midfield.
73'
After a decent start to the second half from Russia, they're back to being second best once again. Argentina still can't find a breakthrough though and an attacking change for the visitors seems inevitable.
71'
We seem to be edging closer to an opening goal, with both sides creating decent chances, but we continue to wait. If the opening game of the World Cup next summer is like this, it'll certainly be a disappointment.
69'
A. Erokhin enters the game and replaces D. Kuzyaev.
Another change for the hosts, with Kuzyaev replaced by Erokhin.
67'
CHANCE! Argentina are piling on the pressure now and Di Maria is the latest to try his luck at goal, charging through into space and seeing his attempt diverted behind the far post. From the following corner, Akinfeev collects after a header at goal from Otamendi.
65'
CHANCE! Argentina have another opening, with Otamendi rising at the near post to head Di Maria's corner towards goal but it's diverted behind for another corner. This time, Russia manage to clear their lines.
62'
CHANCE! Argentina immediately hit on the offensive and a deep cross finds Salvio at the back post but he can only strike an effort over the bar. For the first time though, it seems a goal may be coming.
61'
SAVE! Another chance for Russia, this time with Romero forced into action by Glushkakov. The Manchester United stopper palms an attempt away, with Pezzella then clearing the defensive lines.
59'
P. Gómez enters the game and replaces G. Lo Celso.
CHANCE! Rare sight of goal for Russia, as Glushkakov takes aim from distance and sees his attempt bobble past tje left hand post. Romero was stretching but he looked to have it covered.
First change for Argentina sees Lo Celso's debut come to a close, with Alejandro Gomez taking his place in a switch that may lead to a tactical shake-up.
56'
Another chance for Messi to deliver a free-kick, this time from the left, and Aguero rises to head the ball but can't direct his attempt on target.
55'
A decent ten minutes to start the second-half for Russia, who've looked to be on the game more than they did in the first period. Romero is still to be tested though.
53'
Russia's turn for a free-kick now, in a similar area to Messi's chance, after Lo Celso's foul. Argentina deal with the pressure though and the hosts waste a decent opportunity to put Sergio Romero's goal under threat.
51'
Perez wins a free-kick after a foul from Kuzyaev and Messi steps-up to take. From deep on the right, his lofted ball forward finds the head of Otamendi but he can only divert an attempt over the roof of the net.
49'
OFF THE LINE! A superb ball from Aguero finds Messi in acres of space but he elects to try and chip Akinfeev rather than lay the ball centrally to a team-mate. His attempt is beyond the goalkeeper's reach but Rausch tracks back to head off the line, with the resulting corner coming to nothing.
48'
Decent start by Russia, who immediately get Dzagoev involved in the attacking third but his cross into the middle is too heavy.
46'
A. Dzagoev enters the game and replaces D. Poloz.
I. Smolnikov enters the game and replaces M. Fernandes.
As expected, there are changes at the break and Russia bring on Igor Smolnikov for Mario Fernandes.
Alan Dzagoev has also come on, taking the place of Poloz.
45'
SAVE! Best chance of the match so far and Akinfeev makes a wonderful save! The cross into the area found Aguero with far too much room around the penalty spot and he acrobatically volleyed at goal, with an attempt that looked destined to find the back of the net. Akinfeev got down well though and kept the scoresheets level.
Back underway in Moscow, where Russia get us going and are now kicking to the right.
43'
Russia may also look to make some changes and Alan Dzagoev is the sort of player that could cause this Argentine back-three some issues. Hopefully someone will provide a spark for the hosts, who've lacked quality so far.
41'
Likely to see a number of changes at the break or in the early stages of the first-half and Paulo Dybala would probably be the leading choice to provide an impact in the attacking third. For all their promise, Argentina haven't quite clicked properly.
39'
Messi has really come to life in the past five minutes, perhaps taking my advice of pushing further forward, and Argentina look much better as a result. Currently though, it looks like we'll be goalless at the break.
37'
CHANCE! Argentina push forward again, with Aguero finding Salvio on the overlap. The Benfica ace drives a low cross into the area where Messi lurks but his shot is deflected behind for a corner, which Russia easily dealt with.
36'
CLOSE! Argentina have their best attacking move of the match as Messi chips a delightful ball over the top to Di Maria but the Paris Saint-Germain man can't quite get on the end of the pass. Had he controlled it, we may well have seen the opening goal.
35'
Operating as the holding pair for Argentina, Kranevitter and Lo Celso, the latter of whom is making his debut, are performing well and are quelling any push forward that Russia attempt.
33'
Argentina will want to get Messi into the game more in the attacking third, as their skipper is currently having to come deep to pick up the ball. Whilst that may suit his style, it does limit the visitors in attack.
31'
Russia instead try something different, with Rausch backheeling the ball to Poloz, but the Zenit man cannot threaten Sergio Romero with his attempt.
29'
Free-kick in a decent opportunity for the hosts here after Salbio tracks back and fells Smolov, giving Russia the opportunity to clip a ball into the box from just outside the area on the left side.
28'
Russia yet to really get into this match and haven't really found their rhythm on the ball, although that was expected when up against a side like Argentina.
26'
A decent period for Argentina then, who have finally asked questions of Akinfeev. Still goalless though.
24'
SAVE! Argentina turn on the style again and Aguero bursts forward from a deep position, skipping into a shooting position and driving a low shot at goal. Akinfeev is once again equal to it though, snatching the ball at the second attempt.
22'
Argentina go short from that corner, with the ball eventually coming to Mascherano. The Barcelona defender sets his sights at goal but fires way over the bar.
21'
SAVE! Argentina finally get a decent sight of goal as Di Maria is fed into the box by Messi but sees his low drive saved by Akinfeev. The rebound falls to Aguero but, from a tight angle, he can only win a corner.
18'
Worth mentioning today's game is being played with Adidas' official ball for the World Cup next summer. It's passed all the tests so far and there's no signs of the fiasco that came with the Jabulani seven years ago.
16'
Russia struggling without any possession during this period of the match and Argentina look prepared to try and work their way into the box, exhausting their opponents. They're still yet to create a sight of goal though, with the latest final ball to Messi being overhit.
14'
Argentina will be happy with the start they've made to this match but are yet to truly test the defence.
12'
First corner of the game falls to Russia and it's taken by Rausch. Argentina comfortably deal with the set-piece though and Rausch is offside when the ball works it's way back to him out wide.
11'
Argentina are now playing keep ball, forcing their opponents to chase shadows, but the hosts look threatening on the break.
9'
Argentina's attacking quartet of Messi, Di Maria, Salvio and Aguero have looked lively since kick-off and certainly look to be a threat. With their back-line still looking uninspiring on paper, it's those attacking players who will be vital heading into next summer's World Cup.
7'
Both sides showing attacking intent in the opening few minutes and playing the ball around nicely, although the runs from the attackers have so far come too early.
5'
Yet another offside, with Salvio moving too soon, but his attempt was comfortably saved by Akinfeev.
4'
First real sight of goal falls the way of Russia, as Rausch tumbles in the area and sees his protests for a penalty waved away. He eventually gets the ball clipped over the top to him from Kokorin but the offside shot is raised as he lashes a shot off target.
3'
Argentina, as you might expect, have started on the front foot here. Di Maria is flagged offside as he runs too early but it's positive for the visitors, who've seen Lionel Messi pick up the ball a fair amount in the attacking third.
1'
KICK-OFF! We're underway here in Moscow, where Argentina get us started and kick from right to left.
Good afternoon and welcome to our LIVE coverage of the international friendly between 2018 World Cup hosts Russia and South American giants, both of whom will be present in next summer's international tournament.
Russia come into this game looking for a response after a disappointing performance at the Confederations Cup in the recent summer, having exited the competition at the group stages. They'll be up against it this afternoon but the Argentina side they face have certainly had their problems.
Argentina eventually sealed their spot in next summer's World Cup but they struggled throughout their qualification, heading into their final match in sixth place. A 3-1 victory against Ecuador, led by Lionel Messi, saw the 2014 World Cup finalists turn things around and save disaster by securing their berth in Russia next year.
Argentina subs: Nahuel Guzman, Emmanuel Mammana, Federico Fazio, Leandro Paredes, Emiliano Insua, Dario Benedetto, Diego Perotti, Ever Banega, Paulo Dybala, Alejandro Gomez, Emliano Rigoni, Cristian Pavon.
Argentina XI: Sergio Romero; Javier Mascherano, Nicolas Otamendi, German Pezzella; Enzo Perez, Matias Kranevitter; Eduardo Salvio, Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria; Sergio Aguero.
Russia subs: Andrey Lunev, Vladimir Gabulov, Ilya Kutepov, Yury Zhirkov, Igor Smolnikov, Anton Zabolotny, Aleksey Miranchuk, Anton Miranchuk, Alexander Erokhin, Roman Neustadtet, Alan Dzagoev, Dimitry Kombarov.
Argentina hand Lo Celso and Pezzella their international debuts, with both getting opportunities for the start. Lo Celso is yet to start for Paris Saint-Germain this season but has 13 appearances off the bench, whilst Pezzella has eleven starts and one goal in the Serie A for Fiorentina this season.
Just a few minutes away from kick-off at the Luzhniki Stadium, the venue where Manchester United famously beat Chelsea in the 2008 Champions League final. It's been redeveloped ahead of next summer's World Cup, raising it's capacity to an impressive 81,000.
No added time at the end of the first-half and the referee brings it to a close. Argentina have had chances, with Akinfeev making a number of saves, but Russia will hope for a much better performance after the break.
Russia have simply failed to get into the match during the first 45 minutes and don't look to be showing any sort of improvements from their ill-fated Confederations Cup campaign earlier this year. Their attack has been largely isolated and they haven't been able to get a grip of the game in midfield.
Argentina's only frustration so far will be Akinfeev making a number of fine saves for Russia, as the South American nation will feel they should have broken the deadlock already. Their midfield is running the show though and Messi is lively, so all the signs are good for the second-half.
Russia XI: Igor Akinfeev; Viktor Vasin, Fedor Kudryashov, Georgy Dzhikiya, Denis Glushakov, Daler Kuzyaev, Konstantin Rausch, Mario Fernandes, Dimitry Poloz, Alexander Kokorin, Fedor Smolov.
FULL-TIME! Sergio Aguero's very late goal gives Argentina a narrow victory over Russia in Moscow, in a game where the hosts struggled to find a foothold throughout. Both sides will want to see improvements over the course of the coming months as they prepare for next summer's World Cup.
Igor Akinfeev can hold his head high after a fine performance for Russia but the rest of his team can be disappointed by their performance. Things don't get any easier for the World Cup hosts though as the welcome Spain on Tuesday, their final match before the group stages for the World Cup are drawn on December 1st.
Argentina's narrow victory means it's back-to-back wins for the first-time since June but they'll want to perform better on Tuesday when the face Nigeria. La Albiceleste failed to make the statement of intent that would provide a warning to their World Cup rivals ahead of the group stage draw next month and there's certainly still a lot to improve upon.
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