The 21st edition of FIFA World Cup kicked off with Russia delivering some fine performance against Saudi Arabia in the 1st match of Group A at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.
Interesting Facts:
On Thursday, Russia(ranked 70) and Saudi Arabia(ranked 67) playing against each other. Well, they both are the teams with the lowest rankings.
While Saudi Arabia returns to the international football league after a span of 12 years. Surprisingly, they won their last match in 1994.
Guess what? After thumping Saudi Arabia 5-0, the hosts maintain the record of never losing their opening match in any of the 21 editions of the world cup.
{{World**Cup}} Russia vs Saudi Arabia Live Stream
International FIFA 21th WC
watch here>>>> https://t.co/g3G8lND1Oj
watch here>>>> https://t.co/g3G8lND1Oj pic.twitter.com/lj0yTN0Wb9
— ferdous bulbul (@FerdousBappy88) June 14, 2018
While Russia recorded the 2nd biggest victory by a host nation in their opening match at the tournament only after hosts Italy who crushed USA (7-1) in 1934,
Whoa, Team Russia has even scored more than twice the amount of goals in this game (5) than they did in the entire 2014 tournament over 3 games(2).
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Aleksandr Golovin vs Saudi Arabia. The first performance video of World Cup 2018… He is the biggest reason to watch the Russia games
#WorldCup #Golovin #WorldCupRussia2018 #RUS – #KSA 5-0 pic.twitter.com/eH02wfwoBE— Jal Kapollo (@jalkapollo) June 14, 2018
With Russian President Vladimir Putin in attendance, it was interesting to see as many as 78,011 people attending FIFA world cup opening match, says International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA). Well, it was heartening to see the crowd supporting the home team with chants ‘Russia, Russia!’
The 2018 FIFA #WorldCup is currently averaging five goals per game!
The perfect start for @TeamRussia!#RUSKSA #RUS #KSA pic.twitter.com/jPPUiycsJD
— FIFA World Cup ? (@FIFAWorldCup) June 14, 2018
It was a beginning of a victory when Mario Fernandes cut back from the right flank for Alexander Samedov, only for the ball to be diverted away by the Saudi backline.
4 minutes later, Alan Dzagoev, who was playing behind forward Fedor Smolov shot from close range. Though, it was deflected Suadi Arabia hadn’t averted danger yet.
Meanwhile, Aleksandr Golovin proved so important for the hosts throughout the evening to put in an inch-perfect cross from the left flank just a minute later. Looking shaky in the opening exchanges the Saudi backline left Russian midfielder Iury Gazinski unmarked inside the box.
Gazinsky scored first ever goal in international football and one of the most important he will ever score.
"Russia Midfielder Gazinsky scored the first goal of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in opening match https://t.co/hbA5Ilu8GL" Gazinsky scores 1st goal, Robbie gives World the finger.. missed it. @FIFAWorldCup @FIFAWWC @FIFAWWC2019 @FIAFormulaE @Europarl_EN @Elysee @POTUS @GlobalGoalsUN pic.twitter.com/eHKJXrBy3Q
— Danny Hunt (@DHUNTtweets) June 14, 2018
Just 10 minutes later,disaster struck for the Russian team as Alan Dzagoev pulled a hamstring while chasing a ball then he was replaced by Denis Cheryshev.
Meanwhile, Salem Al Dawsari’s wild attempt in the 28th minute went over the bar as Saudi Arabia continued to struggle which also indicated about the frustration building in the team.
In the 35th minute, Golovin went down inside the box while the Arabians were still struggling Golovin was setting up the ball for Roman Zobnin, who was in space. Then he passed the ball to Chryshev who was hesitating for a moment but he instantly recovered and passed it to a defender before hitting a left-footed shot into the goal.
The first game of the FIFA World Cup turned into a blow out.
Check out every goal from Russia vs Saudi Arabia. pic.twitter.com/pPF76hhCTm
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 15, 2018
15 minutes later, Golovin’s cross from the right wing who played across 3 different attacking positions behind the striker set up a comfortable header for substitute Artem Dzyuba as Russia made it 3-0.
We saw Cheryshev unleashed a left-footed stunner from the edge of the box to make it 4-0. A few minutes lates, Golovin rounded off a fantastic night for himself and Russia with a free-kick, leaving Saudi goalkeeper Abdullah Almuaiouf shocked.
After a great victory over Arabians, the hosts will now move to Saint Petersburg to play Egypt on Tuesday.
