Japan, June 5: Russia underlined their status as Group H favourites with a hard-earned victory over Tunisia in Kobe.
But they were made to work for their win by a Tunisian team which had not read the script marking them out as group whipping boys.
Egor Titov's accurate strike and Valery Karpin's penalty took Russia to the top of the group, with Tunisia suggesting they will test Belgium and Japan.
Russia's willingness to shoot from long-range saw Andrei Solomatin's stinging 14th minute drive spilled by Ali Boumnijel who grabbed the ball ahead of Ruslan Pimenov.
Lokomotiv Moscow striker Pimenov then sent an acrobatic bicycle kick straight at Boumnijel.
But it was Tunisia who almost took a bizarre 20th-minute lead.
Russian defenders Yuri Nikiforov and Yuri Kovtun tangled as they intercepted Slim Ben Achour's through pass.

Bureau Report