Russia vs Saudi Arabia 5 - 0 FIFA World Cup 14 05 2018

Russia vs Saudi Arabia 5 - 0 FIFA World Cup 14 05 2018 FIFA World Cup 2018, Day 1: Russia thrash Saudi Arabia 5-0 in first game FIFA World Cup 2018, Day 1: Russia beat Saudi Arabia 5-0 with two goals coming late on in first game of the World Cup. It was preceded by the opening ceremony. FIFA World Cup 2018, Russia vs Saudi Arabia: FIFA World Cup 2018 began in glorious fashion from the opening ceremony, colourful fans to the action on the field of play. Robbie Williams and Aida Garifullina performed a duet of Angels to get things underway in the opening ceremony. Later, a fairly one-sided game saw plenty of goals including some neat ones. Denis Cheryshev took the cake with a peach of a finish from the left foot to score a brace and ensure Russia end their winless run and do so in some style – with a 5-0 win over Saudi Arabia. The defeat means Saudi Arabia’s wait for a win at the extravaganza continues. 24 years and counting as things stand. They need to up their game and significantly so to avoid being thrashed further in the upcoming group games. FIFA World Cup 2018 Schedule | As it happened: Opening Ceremony That's it! Hosts Russia blank Saudi Arabia 5-0 in tournament opener Russia opens their World Cup campaign with a commanding 5-0 win over Saudi Arabia in front of an 80,000-capacity Luzhniki crowd 90+4' GOAL! Golovin scores on a free-kick to give Russia 5-0 lead 90+3' CARD! Yellow card for Saudi's Taisir Al Jassim 90+1' GOAL! Cheryshev adds another fine goal to put Russia 4-0 ahead 90' There will be three minutes of added time 88' CARD! Russia's Aleksandr Golovin gets the first yellow card of the match STAT CHECK Dzyuba scored just 89 seconds after coming off the bench, the quickest substitute goal at a World Cup since Marcin Zewlakow scored for Poland vs USA in 2002 87' The match is literally over with only three minutes left in the regulation time 84' SUBSTITUTION Muhannad comes off the bench to replace Alsahlawi 78' SUBSTITUTION Second change by Saudi Arabia with Hatan Bahbri replacing Yahya Al-Shehri 77' FREE-KICK! Russia get another chance to score but the shot is well cleared by the Saudi defender 71' GOAL! Substitute Dzyuba straightaway scores with a fine header to give Russia 3-0 lead 70' SUBSTITUTION! Russia have made their third and final change with Artem Dzyuba comes on to the pitch to replace Smolov 69' CHANCE! Kuzyaev has space for a drive at goal inside the box but Saudi 'keeper Al-Mayoof makes the save 67' The pace of the game has become a little slow with Russia still coming out with some well-planned moves 64' SUBSTITUTIONS! Kuziaev comes off the bench to replace Samedov for Russia while Ahad replaces Otayf for Saudi Arabia 58' FREE-KICK! Al-Jassim curls the ball, but Salman Al-Faraj’s header doesn’t trouble Russia goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev at all 56' Saudi Arabia's Taiseer Al-Jassam gets a fraction late to score despite Mohammed Alburayk's fine cross from the right flank totally beats the Russian defence line 55' Ten minutes into the second half and Russia are still holding the edge 52' Aleksandr Samedov hits it over the bar from top of the box (25 yard) 50' First corner for Russia in the second half The official attendance for the opening match is confirmed at 78,011 The second half gets underway with Russia looking to net some more while Saudi Arabia will fight to make a comeback HALF-TIME: Russia lead 2-0 against Saudi Arabia 45' Two minutes injury time added 43' GOAL! Substitute Cheryshev unleashes a blistering left-footer from inside the box to double Russia lead 42' Russia make a fine move from the left which is well tackled by Saudi defenders 40' Five minutes to go and Russia are clearly dominating the game in the middle 35' Russia's Golovin calls for penalty but the referee denies it. Fine tackle by Saudi defender Osama 30' FREE KICK! Saudi Arabia get a free-kick just outside the box on the right flank but they couldn't make good use of it 24' SUBSTITUTION! Alan Dzagoev limps out due to an hamstring injury with Denis Cheryshev coming onto the field 22' First corner for the Saudi team 21' Saudi Arabia come close to score but Russian defender is on the task 20' Russian players are on the attack as Saudi players need to calm down to get hold of the proceddings 14' Another fine save by Saudi goalkeeper denies Russians a chance to double their lead 12' GOAL! Third corner for Russia and they made a good move and Yuri Gazinskiy scores the first goal of the tournament to give the hosts 1-0 lead 10' Early running from Russia gives them few chances and they certainly looked a better side 9' Second corner of the game for Russia again 7' Fine move by Russia from left to right and a goal opportunity too but finely blocked by Saudi defender 6' Scratchy start to the game with both the teams finding it tough to control the ball 3' First corner of the game for Russia 2' Chance early on for Russia but it is well defended by Saudi defenders