A major security operation is under way in Moscow as thousands of football fans watch Russia's crunch World Cup soccer match with Belgium on Friday morning.

Authorities have deployed about 2,000 police to prevent a repeat of the violent scenes which followed Russia's defeat to Japan last weekend.

We have drawn lessons from Sunday's rampage

Moscow mayor's office spokesman

City officials reversed a decision banning outdoor screenings of World Cup matches imposed after drunken fans rampaged through the streets, leaving two people dead and many others injured.

The match will be shown on four of five giant screens in the city centre - one of the five screens is to be switched off because of concerns about crowds blocking traffic near a major railway station.

All alcoholic drinks have been banned in and around the viewing areas, as well as soft drinks in glass bottles.

Violence

The violence happened after Russia went down 1-0 to Japan, severely denting the country's chances of progressing to the second round of the tournament.

Russia is hoping for a better result against Belgium

After the final whistle blew, many threw bottles and attacked cars while chanting the popular football slogan Forward Russia, as the violence spilled into other parts of the city centre.

Three of the injured are in a serious condition; in all, about 50 people were hospitalised, including 20 police officers.

A number of vehicles were set alight near the lower house of parliament, where windows were broken.

Crowds rampaged down the street towards to the headquarters of the Russian security services, smashing shop windows and setting fire to cars.

Beatings

There had been only a small police presence, and reinforcements did not arrive until almost an hour later, when most of the rioters had left the area.

Football violence is a growing problem in Russia

Firefighters arrived first, and the rioters attacked their trucks.

Photographers and cameramen were also reported to have been beaten, and five Japanese music students were attacked.

The BBC's Jonathan Charles, in Moscow, says such violence is highly unusual for the city, but football hooligans are a growing problem.

With their distinctive shaved heads, they model themselves on their British counterparts, even down to the wearing of Union Jack T-shirts.