Sports

#WorldCupRussia2018: Russia Thrash Saudi Arabia 5-0 in Opening Match

Published

6 years ago

June 14, 2018

While Saudi Arabia enjoyed the possession and pass accuracy, Russia enjoyed the goal scoring.

Goals from Iury Gazinsky, Denis Cheryshev (two), Artem Dzyuba and Aleksandr Golovin earned the Russians a thumping victory – their first win in eight matches – in front of 78,00 at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium.

This was never likely to be a classic opener between teams ranked 67 th and 70th in the FIFA rankings – with Russia somehow beneath th visitors – and thanks to some non-league defending from the Saudis, it bordered on farce at times.

After a weirdly low-key opening ceremony – basically just a mini Robbie Williams gig with some dancers doing keepy-up – we were treated to some lovey-dovey words from international man of peace Vladimir Putin.

Then it was down to what were officially the tw worst teams in the tournament to kick us off – and, by thunder, Saudi Arabia were bad.