Football: Two off as Russia hold Brazil

The Russian captain, Viktor Onopko, and Brazil's Cafu were both sent off as the two countries drew 2-2 in a friendly in Moscow yesterday. With the scores level at 1-1, Cafu was shown the red card and then, with five minutes remaining, Onopko was also dismissed after expressing dissent to the referee.

Russia, playing their first game under their new coach, Boris Ignatiev, made an early breakthrough when Yuri Nikiforov converted a penalty in the 18th minute. Trailing 1-0 at the break, the Brazilians came back two minutes into the second half when Donizete made a run down the wing and equalised.

With Cafu off, the Russians regained the lead 10 minutes from time when substitute Vladislav Radimov scored from long range. However, five minutes later, Ronaldo fired home the second penalty of the night to level the score.

The game drew 25,000 spectators. Brazil now move on to play the second match of their short European tour against the Netherlands on Saturday.