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The 2018 World Cup hosts Russia have had the perfect start to their tournament.<\/p>\nThe 2018 World Cup hosts Russia have had the perfect start to their tournament.<\/p>\n
The Russians demolished Saudi Arabia 5-0 in the Group A opener at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium, with their fourth coming courtesy of a screamer from Denis Cheryshev, his second of the game.<\/p>\n
He latched onto the ball on the edge of the box and curled an exquisite shot around the helpless Al-Muaiouf with the outside of his left foot.<\/p>\n
Russia included Sergei Ignashevich in their starting line-up as the World Cup hosts prepared to get the tournament underway against Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n
The 38-year-old was tempted out of international retirement last month following a number of injuries in Russia’s back line to make his 124th appearance for his country alongside former Chelsea defender Yuri Zhirkov.<\/p>\n
The World Cup got under way after Robbie Williams took center stage at the opening ceremony.<\/p>\n
The former Take That member performed four of his hits – although his controversial single ‘Party Like a Russian’ was not part of the set-list.<\/p>\n
Williams dueted his hit single ‘Angels’ alongside Russian opera singer Aida Garifullina on stage at the Luzhniki Stadium, with former Brazil striker Ronaldo also taking part in the ceremony.<\/p>\n
Russia president Vladimir Putin and his FIFA counterpart Gianni Infantino addressed an expectant crowd before focus turned to the football as the opening match of the tournament kicked off.<\/p>\n
Russia made an ideal start when they took a 12th-minute lead through Yuriy Gazinsky.<\/p>\n
There was some controversy, however, as the midfielder seemed to push Taisir Al-Jassam to the ground before steering a header home from Alexandr Golovin’s left-wing cross.<\/p>\n
Referee Pitana Nestor opted not to consult the video assistant referee system – in place for the first time at a World Cup – as the goal stood.<\/p>\n
Russia doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time, courtesy of substitute Cheryshev.<\/p>\n
The Villarreal midfielder, on for the injured Alan Dzagoev after 24 minutes, feigned to shoot on the left side of the area and took out two last-ditch tackles from Saudi Arabia defenders in the process.<\/p>\n
Cheryshev then did pull the trigger, firing high beyond Saudi goalkeeper Abdullah Al-Muaiouf, to the delight of the home support.<\/p>\n
There was more for the home crowd to cheer on 71 minutes when substitute Artem Dzyuba added a third goal within 60 seconds of his introduction.<\/p>\n
The 6ft 5in Zenit St Petersburg striker nodded Aleksandr Golovin’s right-wing cross neatly into the net moments after being brought on in place of Fedor Smolov.<\/p>\n
Cheryshev added a fourth goal in stoppage time with his superb strike before Golovin then sealed the rout by curling a fine free-kick around the wall to make it 5-0 in the dying seconds.<\/p>\n