Belgium and Russia locked 0-0 after first half in World Cup Group H match
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Belgium and Russia were locked 0-0 at halftime of their Group H match at the Maracana on Sunday.
Belgium dominated the early possession but Russia's Victor Fayzulin had the first shot on target, forcing Belgian keeper Thibaut Courtois to make a sprawling save in the 12th minute. Courtois made another diving stop in the 30th to Maksim Kanunnikov's 20-yard strike. Unmarked Russian forward Alex Kokorin missed with a header just before the break.
Dries Mertens consistently caused trouble for the Russian defense and had three of Belgium's best chances, narrowly missing in the 20th, 22nd and 36th.
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Belgian defender Thomas Vermaelen was replaced in the 31st apparently with a left knee problem he picked up during the warmup.