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FIFA World Cup 2018: Russia hammers Saudi Arabia 5-0 - See pics
Russia launched the World Cup in emphatic style on Thursday when they outclassed a feeble Saudi Arabia 5-0 in the tournament's opening match to end a nine-month winless run and give the host nation's team and fans the lift they desperately needed. They were impressive from the beginning and threatened the Saudis with fierce counter-attacks.
Russia made an excellent start to the tournament by hammering Saudi Arabia 5-0 in the opening match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. (Image Courtesy: Twitter/@FIFAWorldCup)
Russia takes three points from the opening game and leads the group A. (Image Courtesy: Twitter/@FIFAWorldCup)
Artem Dzyuba was the second player to come off the bench and within minutes found the net with a header (Image Courtesy: Twitter/@FIFAWorldCup)
Russia suffered a big blow as Dzagoev had to leave the field after picking up a hamstring injury. He raced through a counter-attack before holding the back of his left thigh in the 23 minute. (Image Courtesy: Twitter/@FIFAWorldCup)
Yuri Gazinskiy got Russia off the mark with a fine header from the close range and Denis Cheryshev scored the first of his two goals, displaying great composure. (Image Courtesy: Twitter/@FIFAWorldCup)
Denis Cheryshev became the first substitute to score in an opening match of the FIFA. (Image Courtesy: Twitter/@FIFAWorldCup)