Russia 5, Mexico 1

Svetlana Grigorieva powered Russia to a 5-1 win against Mexico today, improving Russia’s record to 2-2. The win still does little to help Russia make Sunday’s final, but it was a moral victory for the team, which earned it’s first lopsided win of the event.

Mexico also had a moral victory when Michel Navarro put in her team’s first goal of the tournament with 19 minutes remaining, making it a 3-1 game and giving the Mexicans a sliver of hope of the comeback. But shortly after the goal, captain Grigorieva put things back in order for Russia, popping in two quick tallies coming one minute apart apart to extend Russia’s lead to 5-1, where it would stay through the final horn. Remarkably all the goals were field goals despite a bevy of penalty corner chances on both sides.

Mexico will look for its first win of the even tomorrow against France, which is also winless at the event. Meanwhile, Russia will have a tough test against top-seeded Spain in the final day of Round Robin action.