Russia thrash Saudi Arabia 5-0 as FIFA World Cup kicks off in Moscow

Keeping the tradition alive that no host country has ever lost the opening match in the FIFA world cup, the Russian team thrashed Saudi Arabia by five goals to nil in June 14 in Moscow. Russia, who dominated both in game and physique, demonstrated more cohesiveness. Despite holding more possession, Saudi Arab was no match for the host. By winning with a handsome margin, Russia has moved close to qualifying from Group A, which also has Egypt and Uruguay, besides the Saudis.

The Russians scored two goals by headers, one by a free kick, one by outer and one from a good assist in the penalty area. The Russians didn’t gave any opening to their rivals. During any attack by Saudi Arabia, all 10 Russian players would crowd their half and closed all openings for Saudi midfielders and strikers.

Saudi Arabia were seen holding the ball for too long, in an attempt to emulate Spanish strategy, but lacked the skill to make it count. Their defence was very weak and gave too many openings. The Saudi midfield was found wanting as on every counter attack, the pressure was too much on defenders with no help from midfielders. The Russians played through their flanks, using the air, taking advantage of the shorter average height of the Saudi team.

Yuri Gazinsky scored the first goal in minute 12 with a beautiful header as the Saudi defender slipped and he was free to score the goal. Substitute Denis Cheryshev scored two beautiful goals, one in the 43rd and second in the 91st minute. His second goal with outer was a class act. Another substitute Artym Dzyuba scored a header in the 71st minute as he stood unmarked in the penalty area. The star of the match was 22-year-old Aleksander Govolin, who assisted in two goals and scored the fifth goal by a beautiful free kick. Govolin, however, got the yellow card for an unnecessary tackle. Both teams used their three substitutes. The Saudis got two half chances, one in the 20th minute when their star striker Al Sahlawi headed the ball and the second when two strikers could not connect with a cross in the 55th minute.

Vladimir Putin declares FIFA World Cup open at colourful opening ceremony after Russia-Saudi match

The match was followed by the colourful opening ceremony. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Saudi Prince Mohammad Salman watched the match together.

Russian President Vladimir Putin declared the FIFA World Cup open after a colourful opening ceremony at the 81,000-seater Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on Thursday. "The love of football unites the world in one team, independent of language or ideology," the Russian president stated during his speech, as reported by Sputnik news agency. "This tremendous sports event is being held in Russia for the first time and we are sincerely glad about this. At first sight football in our country is not the most massive sport, but love for football in this country is real," said Putin.

Artistic performances from UK singer Robbie Williams and Russian operatic soprano Aida Garifullina were the highlights of the opening ceremony. Two-time FIFA World Cup champion Ronaldo of Brazil and Sweden legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic also attended. Former Spain captain Iker Casillas brought the trophy—made of more than six kilograms (13.2 pounds) of gold—inside the ground.

Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Bolivian President Evo Morales, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev and Kyrgyz President Sooronbai Jeenbekov were some of the political heavyweights at the event.

With IANS inputs