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
