14th June, 2018
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
Host Russia demolish hapless Saudi Arabia 5-0 on Thursday in World Cup opener to signify their intention to win the coveted trophy on home soil.
Yuri Gazinskiy opened scoring for Russia in the 12th minute of the game to become the first player to score at Russia 2018 World Cup.
The Krasnodar midfielder jumped highest to head home Aleksandr Golovin’s cross from the left wing to make it his first international goal for Russia.
Russia double their advantage to make it 2-0 on 43 minutes through Denis Cheryshev.
Russia broke from their own half. Roman Zobnin played a ball to Denis Cheryshev, which looked a little short for the Villarreal winger. But the substitute managed to compose himself enough to take the ball past a defender and then smashed it into the roof of the net.
On 71 minutes, Russia ensured three points in their first match by making it 3-0 through Artem Dzyuba.
Dzyuba scored with maybe his second touch as he powered home Aleksandr Golovin’s right-wing cross with his head after he came in as substitute.
On the first minute of added time, Denis Cheryshev scored the fourth goal for Russia and his brace as he produced an excellent goal.
The rampaging Russia made it 5-0 through Aleksandr Golovin. The player stepped up to take the free-kick and curled it past the diving Abdullah Al-Mayoof.