Aleksandr Kerzhakov came off the bench to spare Igor Akinfeev’s blushes and salvage a 1-1 draw for Russia against Korea Republic in Cuiaba in a Group H match of the ongoing FIFA World Cup.

The scrappy encounter saw both sides struggle to create clearcut chances in the first half and the trend continued into the second half until a moment’s lapse in concentration saw the deadlock broken.

Both goalkeepers had been dealing poorly with routine shots and it was inevitable one of them would pay, and that keeper was Russia’s Igor Akinfeev after a seemingly harmless long range shot from Keun-Ho Lee in the 68th minute went through his gloves and into the net.

The goal prompted Russia coach Fabio Capello to bring on midfielder Igor Denisov and striker Kerzhakov, with the latter scrapping home the equaliser two minutes after coming on.

With the goal, Kerzhakov is now Russia’s joint all-time leading goalscorer with 26 goals.

The result comes after Belgium came from behind to defeat Algeria 2-1 in another Group H match played earlier today.