The host nation lead Saudia Arabia 2-0 at half time in the opening clash of the tournament in Moscow, with goals to Ilya Gazinsky and Denis Cheryshev the difference following a massive opening 45 minutes.
Saudi Arabia XI: Al-Maiouf; Alburayk,Hawsawi,Hawsawi, Al-Shahrani; Otayf, Al-Dawsari, Al-Faraj, Al-Jassam; Al-Shehri, Al-Sahlawi
Russia XI: Akinfeev (gk, C), Fernandes, Kutepov, Ignashevich, Zhirkov, Gazinskiy, Zobnin, Samedov, Golovin, Dzagoev, Smolov
The Russians, the lowest ranked side heading into the competition, broke the deadlock after just 12 minutes as Gazinsky nodded home a wonderful cross from 22-yeaar-old young gun Aleksandr Golovin.
But it wasn’t all good news for the hosts as star midfielder Alan Dzagoev went down clutching his hamstring after just 24 minutes, with the rest of his World Cup now in doubt after he was replaced by Cheryshev.
However, the substitute showed his worth soon after, doubling the lead just before the break as he cut inside beautifully in the area before rifling a shot into the top corner.
A big second half coming up, but it looks as though the Russians are heading for a crucial first up win!
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