World Cup host Russia has got the FIFA World Cup off to a tremendous start with a clinical 5-0 win over Saudi Arabia, in a major step forward for its hopes to progress past the group stages.
Yuri Gazinskiy got Russia off to the perfect start with a finish in the 12th minute, before substitute Denis Cheryshev slotted home in emphatic fashion to double the lead before half-time.
Another substitute in Artem Dzyuba headed home midway through the second stanza, barely 90 seconds after coming off the bench to send the Luzhniki Stadium crowd into raptures.
But there was still more to come. Cheryshev smashed home an incredible lobbed finish from outside the box at the start of injury time to make it 4-0 and register a brace.
Then Aleksandr Golovin iced the win with a goal from a direct free kick, completing a late goal rush to hammer the Saudis by five goals.
More to come.
