Trabelsi tries to stop Izmailov (Allsport).

By Jason Hughes, PA International, Kobe

Russia scored twice in the second half to comfortably beat Tunisia in Kobe and take control of Group H.

Egor Titov pounced after a mistake by goalkeeper Ali Boumnijel to open the scoring in the 59th minute, and the impressive Valery Karpin added the second five minutes later from the penalty spot.

The win takes Russia, who were always on top in today's opener, to the summit of the tournament's weakest group following yesterday's draw between Japan and Belgium.

Boumnijel gave a glimpse of the poor judgement that was to later cost his side dear when he spilled Andrei Solomatin's 25-yard strike, although he did just manage to get to the rebound before Ruslan Pimenov in the 14th minute.

Tunisia did look threatening on the counter-attack and they came close to scoring in the 20th minute with Russian defender Yuri Kovtun bundling the ball inches wide of the post after a mix-up with team-mate Yuri Nikiforov as both attempted to snuff out the threat from Hassen Gabsi.

Keeper Boumnijel should not have actually been on the pitch to make his mistake after he retaliated by striking Pimenov in the back of the head following a challenge between the pair for a high ball in the 41st minute.

On the stroke of half-time, Spartak Moscow captain Titov dragged his shot just past the far post from inside the area after Karpin had pulled the ball back.

Celta Vigo's Karpin also proved his worth defensively after the restart as he backtracked to head away Gabsi's dangerous centre with Adel Sellimi lurking behind him inside the six yard area.

Pimenov continued to look the most dangerous of the Russian attackers, but he fired wide from just three yards after Riadh Bouazizi had missed Marat Izmailov's corner at the near post in the 55th minute.

But four minutes later, Russia were ahead after Boumnijel's poor throw went straight to Izmailov, and when the ball dropped to Titov on the edge of the area he stroked the ball into the bottom corner.

The Europeans went two up soon after, and again the Tunisians only had themselves to blame.

Radhi Jaidi brought down sub Dmitri Sychev inside the area and the impressive Karpin made no mistake from the spot.

Five minutes from time, another Boumnijel error nearly gave away another goal. but Sychev found the angle too tight after the keeper had dropped the high ball.

Teams

Russia: Nigmatullin, Solomatin, Nikiforov, Onopko, Kovtun, Karpin, Semshov (Khokhlov 45), Izmailov (Alenichev 78), Titov, Beschastnykh (Sychev 55), Pimenov.

Subs Not Used: Cherchesov, Chugainov, Daev, Filimonov, Kerzhakov, Mostovoi, Semak, Sennikov, Smertin.

Booked: Semshov, Alenichev.

Goals: Titov 59, Karpin 64 pen.

Tunisia: Boumnijel, Trabelsi, Badra (Zitouni 83), Jaidi, Gabsi (Beya 67), Sellimi (Mhadhebi 67), Bouzaine, Mkacher, Bouazizi, Ben Achour, Jaziri.

Subs Not Used: Bejaoui, Clayton, Ghodbane, Jaouachi, Jelassi, Marzouki, Melki, Mkademi, Thabet.

Booked: Gabsi, Jaziri.

Att: 30,957

Ref: Peter Prendergast (Jamaica).