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| Europe | In pictures: Moscow football riot (original) (raw)

Disappointment turned to violence in the Russian capital as football fans went on the rampage following the national team's 1-0 defeat by hosts Japan in the World Cup.

Russian fans watching the game in central Moscow

Pictures from Yokohama were broadcast on giant screens in central Moscow

Japan's Junichi Inamoto scores the winning goal

But Russian hopes turned to dust as unfancied Japan took - and held onto - a surprise lead

Russian fans show disappointment after Japan's goal

The Russian supporters could not believe it

Rioter dancing on car

Anger soon became the dominant emotion, and fans took out their frustration on parked cars

Car overturned in central Moscow

Some vehicles were overturned...

Burning car in central Moscow

...while others were torched

Rioters show their glee at the chaos

For a while, anarchy reigned in the former citadel of communism

Russian fans restrain a fellow supporter

In the absence of the police, some fans tried to restore order