Russia made the perfect start to their World Cup campaign against Saudi Arabia in their opening game today after securing a 5-0 victory.
Following President Vladimir Putin declaration of the tournament opened at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium, Iury Gazinsky scored the first goal of the tournament in the 12th minute heading a cross from Aleksandr Golovin.
Russia suffered a blow when Alan Dzagoev had to leave the field with what appeared to be a pulled hamstring.
With the Saudi team more and more stretched by Russia's attacking play, Dzagoev's replacement Denis Cheryshev smashed home a shot from short range two minutes before half-time.
Substitute Artem Dzyuba made it 3-0 in the 71st minute when he headed home with his first touch of the game and Cheryshev grabbed his second in injury time. Golovin completed the rout with a free-kick just seconds from the end of the match.
This article was most recently revised and updated 3 years ago
