Russia have unsurprisingly been the better side than Ireland in the first 45 minutes of their Euro 2012 qualifying match in Moscow, but the score is tied up at 0-0 at the end of the first half. Russia has been very good in midfield as Glenn Whelan and Keith Andrews look a bit overmatched, but the Ireland back line and Shay Given have been fantastic so far.
Without Given's saves, Ireland would already be down a couple of goals with no way back into the match. They've done almost nothing to create quality chances, but Russia have hit the target five times in the first half while blasting a couple of good chances just wide. Given made spectacular saves on Andrei Arshavin and Igor Semshov, while Damien Duff had one spectacular clear off of the line.
At the moment, Ireland aren't doing anything more than just hanging on. Giovanni Trapattoni is going to have to make some serious halftime adjustments to get his team into the match.