The physical threat of a target-man striker has become something of an endangered species in modern football but Russia's Artem Dzyuba offered a reminder, in Tuesday's 3-1 World Cup win over Egypt, that there is still value in the big man up-front.
Egypt's defence struggled to handle the power and aggression of the 29-year-old Dzyuba throughout the win which took the hosts to near certain qualification for the knockout stage from Group A.
Chosen over Fedor Smolov in attack, after coming on as a substitute and scoring against Saudi Arabia in the opening game, Dzyuba had a crucial role in the 47th minute opening goal as he challenged defender Ahmed Fathi who knocked the ball into his own net.
Dzyuba then scored the third himself with a goal of gloriously nostalgic directness.
He rose to take down a long ball on his chest and then barged his way past Egypt defender Ali Gabr before confidently firing home and charging off to celebrate with a look of wild delight on his face.
Six months ago, though, Dzyuba could have been forgiven for thinking he might not even make the 23-man squad for the World Cup.
Roberto Mancini, then Zenit St Petersburg coach, recently appointed Italy's national team boss, decided the forward was surplus to his requirements and loaned him out to mid-table Arsenal Tula.
For a player of Dzyuba's experience and status, it was a humiliating blow but characteristically he made a strong response – getting the 88th minute equaliser in a 3-3 draw against Zenit and then running to the touchline to celebrate right in front of Mancini.
That aggression and desire to prove his critics wrong was once again evident against Egypt.
"I am always fired up, I always want more and more," he told reporters.
"I am happy to be here. Very proud. We deserved what happened because we did not concede a single centimetre to them," he added.
(This article has been edited for length.)
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