With two of the lowest ranked teams in the tournament facing each other in the opening match of the World Cup, you could be forgiven for thinking that there may be a lack of quality on show at the Luzhniki Stadium.
In all fairness it wasn't a game of the highest quality as the hosts beat a toothless Saudi Arabia side 5-0.
The pick of the goals was undoubtedly Denis Cheryshev's second strike of the afternoon, the former Real Madrid winger controlling the ball before bending a wonderful shot past Abdullah Al-Maiouf with the outside of his boot:
It's a second for Cheryshev...https://t.co/f2LAOYqcor #rtesoccer #worldcup pic.twitter.com/z2A0cpdO7g
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) June 14, 2018
Arsenal target Golovin also caught the eye, with the 22-year-old setting up Alan Dzagoev for the third goal before getting on the scoresheet himself with an inch perfect free-kick:
The delight on his face says it all as Dzyuba puts Russia 3-0 up https://t.co/f2LAOYqcor #rtesoccer #worldcup pic.twitter.com/JIqPtEMwkF
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) June 14, 2018
Golovin caps a five-star Russian display https://t.co/f2LAOYqcor #rtesoccer #worldcup pic.twitter.com/rHaLrhAN3x
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) June 14, 2018
The result leaves Russia atop Group A, with a goal difference of plus five, so they are likely to remain there at least until the next round of fixtures. The other match in Group A will take place tomorrow as Egypt take on Uruguay at 1pm, with Liverpool star Mohamed Salah deemed fit to start for the Phaoroh's against Luis Suarez and company.
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