Host nation Russia got off to a dream start in the 2018 World Cup as they thrashed Saudi Arabia 5-0 in their Group A opener at the Stadion Luzhniki on Thursday.
Goals from Yury Gazinsky and substitute Denis Cheryshev set the tone for Stanislav Cherchesov’s side in the first half before Artem Dzyuba headed in a third. The hosts showed their class right at the very end with Cheryshev grabbing a stunning second before Aleksandr Golovin curled in a free-kick to make it a day to remember for the Russian fans.
Russia dominated the early proceedings and pushed Saudi back from the very start. The hosts, however, were dealt an early blow when Alan Dzagoev limped off with a suspected hamstring injury.
Russia began to press Saudi winning a succession of corners, and eventually with twelve minutes on the clock took the lead as Golovin curled in a perfect back-post cross which met the head of Yury Gazinsky who scored the first goal of the 2018 World Cup.
Saudi composed themselves and kept the ball well at times, however, failed to carve out any real chances of note in the content. The closest they came in the first half came as Mohammad Al-Sahlawi saw his header get pushed out for the corner.
On the cusp of half-time, Russia scored a second to put the contest beyond all doubt. A slick passing move eventually found sub-Denis Cheryshev, a quick shimmy from the Villarreal striker saw him beat two Saudi defenders before smashing the ball past the keeper at the near post.
Juan Antonio Pizzi failed to raise his side during the break as the Russians streamed forward in the second half. With 30 minutes to play, the hosts found a third Golovin again with a perfect cross for Artem Dzyuba to head in a third.
Russia did not stop there and Cheryshev saw his spectacular outside of the foot shot sail into the back of the net for a fourth. Moments later Aleksandr Golovin scored a peach of a free-kick to make it 5-0 for the Russians and to kick-start their World Cup campaign with a perfect result.
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