Russia wins the opening match of the 2018 World Cup against Saudi Arabia. The host country thrashed Saudi Arabia, 5-0, in the opening match of its World Cup on home soil.
Russian professional defensive midfielder, Yury Gazinsky scored on a header 12 minutes in, and afterward, Saudi Arabia could offer little resistance.
Russia’s second and fourth goal was scored by the professional winger, Denis Cheryshev. The third goal of the team was scored by Artem Dzyuba in a short time of his entrance as a substitute for Fyodor Smolov.
Aleksandr Golovin scored the fifth goal on a free kick, past a badly tired Saudi defense.
Saudi Arabia, a team whose players are virtually all based in their obscure home league, offered an air of mystery. But that was before the game. It became clear very quickly that they were no match for a Russian team that itself has not been a worldbeater in recent years.
Gazinsky's header foiled the Saudi plan to work the counterattack, and the team seldom got the ball even deep into Russia’s territory after that. Russia itself took over the counterattacking and found the goal at its mercy time and time again.
More troubling to Russia was an apparent hamstring injury to midfielder Alan Dzagoev. But that did allow the team to bring in Cheryshev, who duly scored moments later.
Even at halftime, the Saudis looked broken, and it did not get better. Dzyuba scored on another header, likewise just after entering the game, then Cheryshev added his second in the 90th minute.
If that late goal seemed unfair to the Saudis, it got worse a moment later when Golovin added No. 5 on a free kick in injury time.
It was the perfect start for the host nation, although its remaining group games, against Egypt and Uruguay, will be much sterner challenges.
As for Saudi Arabia, if it manages even a 2-0 loss, say, in its remaining games, it will seem like an impressive accomplishment.
Even at halftime, the Saudis looked broken, and it did not get better. Dzyuba scored on another header, likewise just after entering the game, then Cheryshev added his second in the 90th minute.
If that late goal seemed unfair to the Saudis, it got worse a moment later when Golovin added No. 5 on a free kick in injury time.
It was the perfect start for the host nation, although its remaining group games, against Egypt and Uruguay, will be much sterner challenges.
As for Saudi Arabia, if it manages even a 2-0 loss, say, in its remaining games, it will seem like an impressive accomplishment.
Have a quick look at the match highlights:
For the first time in the history of World Cup, two players Gazinsky and Cheryshev scored their first international goals in the opening game.
