Alexander Kerzkakhov rescued Russia in their first World Cup finals match since 2002, scoring three minutes after coming on as substitute to salvage a 1-1 draw against South Korea on Tuesday.
The Zenit St Petersburg striker was brought on after rival substitute Lee Keun-Ho put South Korea ahead with a 30 metre shot that Russian goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev disastrously parried over his head into the net.
The result left both countries trailing Belgium who head the Group H table after beating Algeria 2-1 earlier.
Russia, who host the 2018 finals, were looking to make an impact in their landmark return. They owed their saved honour to Kerzhakov who scored his 26th international goal.
“The reaction of the players was really good,” said Russian coach Fabio Capello when asked about the Korean goal. “That was important to me,” added the Korean.
The last two countries to make their appearance in Brazil 2014 slowly cranked up the tempo in 77 percent humidity under the Arena Pantanal’s floodlights.
The Koreans began brightly enough, with Bayer Leverkusen’s Son Heung-Min testing Akinfeev early, his right-footed shot going high.
Seconds later the mid-fielder was booked unfairly by Argentine referee Nestor Pitana.
Playing all in white to Russia’s maroon and watched by a near-full stadium where the prominent colour was Brazilian yellow, the Taeguk Warriors showed technical ability without ever threatening to score.
The largely local crowd began to vent their frustration at what they perceived to be the lack of spectacle served up for their evening entertainment.
A half-hearted Mexican wave — never a good sign especially in the first half hour of a match — crept its way round the stands, as Sergei Ignashevich struck a 30 metre freekick straight into Korean keeper Jung Sung-Yong’s hands.