Russia have opened the 2018 FIFA World Cup with a commanding victory, putting five goals past their Group A opponents Saudi Arabia.
The victory, with Russia maintaining a clean sheet and dominating the match from start to finish, saw two first-half goals and then three in the second, with the final two coming during injury time as the score blew out.
Russia wasted very little time in getting the match off to a strong start with Yury Gazinskii scoring the opener just 12 minutes in. A goal to substitute Denis Cheryshev before halftime seemed to sink Saudi Arabia, who were never in the contest after halftime, despite winning the possession count.
The Russians also keep their dream of qualification alive, with an upcoming game against Egypt likely to decide their fate.
Final score:
Russia 5
Saudi Arabia 0
The 2018 World Cup is finally upon us. After years of qualification and months of build-up, the time for talking stops as hosts Russia take on Saudi Arabia in an important Group A contest. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 1am (AEST).
This is the biggest moment in the history of Russian football as they get a chance to host the biggest sporting event in the world, but it comes at a historically very poor time.
They are ranked 70th in the world heading into the showpiece event, which leaves them at their lowest ever ranking.
The Russians will have the home crowd behind them though and if they are going to have any chance at advancing out of Group A – which is the easiest at the Cup – they must win here.
While Uruguay are going to top the group with ease, Egypt, Russia and Saudi Arabia will all scramble for second place.
Russia brings sub-standard form into the World Cup opener, with a draw to Turkey in their last match and a loss against Austria in their only other friendly played during the last international window.
Goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev leads the square at the back, while veterans Sergei Ignashevich and Igor Smolnikov will lead the squad in defence.
Russia’s first task will be to stop Saudi Arabia from scoring. Given their strength at the back, it seems they may be able to do that and poach a goal through Fyodor Smolov or Artem Dzyuba.
The Saudis managed to qualify directly to the World Cup, but lost their manager shortly afterwards and form recently doesn’t fill anyone with hope they are going to do anything good.
They have lost to Italy, Peru and Germany in the build-up to the World Cup, with all three of those being poor performances, but they did beat Greece and Algeria beforehand, so just maybe, all hope isn’t lost.
Being placed in Group A leaves them with a chance of doing something reasonable, but unless gun forward Mohammad Al-Sahlawi fires, they are going to struggle.
Even then, he has to get quality ball up front. The midfield for the Arabic nation is going to struggle to find space in the Russian defence, and it’s hard to see them scoring a goal in this game.
Prediction
The Russians are at home and will have the backing of a huge crowd. This is their moment, and against a team like Saudi Arabia, they are unlikely to muck it up.
Russia 1 – Saudi Arabia 0.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the World Cup opener from 1am (AEST) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
MQ
Guest
It was all useless possession, as soon as they approached the half way line, the ball would end up at the feet of a Russian player without him having to barely move, like taking candy from a baby.
Kris
Guest
The 4th Nabbout-goal and the FK for the 5th padded the score a bit and sometimes you just have to wear those. Saudi Arabia destroyed in the air - almost 70% possession and the Russians just picked them off with crosses. Only one winner in this game - BVM - bullet dodged :)
Lionheart
Guest
Pretty poor all round by KSA, but especially their defence. They were much worse than the team we saw in the qualifiers, I think, who were pretty solid in defence. The OPTUS commentary team said that their new coach had arranged for a number of them to join Spanish clubs to get experience before the world cup but they sat on the bench and got little game time. Come on Australia!
MQ
Guest
Thanks for calling the game Scott, looking forward to more late nights (and not so late). In the end, I actually enjoyed the Russian performance, a few quality goals.
MQ
Guest
Pointless making that sort of comparison. The Asian qualifiers are tough to the extent that there's a lot of travel and games played in places you would never frequent in a blue fit, but in world terms, the Asian sides are relatively weak (Australia included). In this case, you have the only country who is playing its WC games at home, playing what is a pretty weak side in world terms, so that's an advantage no other side will have. Anyway, the Saudis have always been pretty hopeless at the WC, just because they finished above us doesn't change that.
MQ
Guest
This isn't the first time the Saudis have been thumped in the WC, and it won't be the last. They have never been up to this standard, aren't now, and are unlikely to ever be given they all play in their domestic league where they are well paid (for the time being). I agree with what Craig Foster was saying this morning that it reflects poorly on the standard of football in Asia, but any football fan who looks at this subject honestly would concede that Asian football is miles and miles behind Europe and South America. While it's true that Russia is nowhere near the standard of France, I would not be expecting this sort of scoreline in our game against France, primarily because we now have a good track record of being competitive against quality sides at the WC. Having said that, being competitive (at least more competitive than the Saudis) does not mean we are likely to get a result against France, but I would expect a margin of less than 5 goals.
paulu
Guest
To think we struggled to get past them in our home qualifier and finished beneath them in the group. Oh the shame of it all.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
You wish.
Sam
Guest
I still think Uruguay will be much too strong for Russia, but crucially for Russia in this game they didn't ease off at the end and racked up 5 goals. That could be huge for them if the group comes down to goal difference for 2nd place.
Blake Standfield
Roar Guru
Killer of a result for the standard of football in Asia unfortunately. 10-0 a comparative result for France coming up,
Scott Pryde
Expert
Absolutely. They were head and shoulders above the Saudis, but that doesn't mean they are going to do the same against Uruguay. That match could be an interesting one now though, based on what Russia dished up here.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Cheers mate, Great start for Russia.
lunchboxexpert
Guest
Probably need to wait for the Uruguay match to find out how good Russia really are. Because Russia hasn't had as many games against top teams recently the FIFA ratings probably aren't a fair reflection.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Check out the full match report of Russia vs Saudi Arabia here. Thanks for joining me this morning right here on The Roar for our live coverage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup as Russia hammered Saudi Arabia 5-0. Hopefully you enjoyed the coverage. I'll be back at 10pm (AEST) this evening for the second Group A game as Uruguay take on Egypt. A reminder, The Roar will be live for every single game of the World Cup. Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME Russia have opened the 2018 FIFA World Cup with a commanding victory, putting five goals past their Group A opponents Saudi Arabia. The victory, with Russia maintaining a clean sheet and dominating the match from start to finish, saw two first-half goals and then three in the second, with the final two coming during injury time as the score blew out. Russia wasted very little time in getting the match off to a strong start with Yury Gazinskii scoring the opener just 12 minutes in. A goal to substitute Denis Cheryshev before halftime seemed to sink Saudi Arabia, who were never in the contest after halftime, despite winning the possession count. The Russians also keep their dream of qualification alive, with an upcoming game against Egypt likely to decide their fate. Final score: Russia 5 Saudi Arabia 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the game Roarers?
me too
Guest
well done russia. what a start and two great goals to finish it. thanks for the call scott! good signs for the world cup!
MQ
Guest
5 goals, 3 points, barely raised a sweat, the host nation eases its way in to their World Cup , some pretty good goals
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME That's the end. The whistle blows straight after the restart and Russia have put on an absolutely dominant display to open the 2018 World Cup. Horrible display from Saudi Arabia who confirmed what we all know - their form is terrible - but Russia are just head and shoulders above their opponents today as they build their form ahead of some tougher matches against Egypt and Uruguay later in the tournament. Russia 5 Saudi Arabia 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
90 + 4' - GOAL RUSSIA, ALEXSANDR GOLOVIN They are in again! A free kick just outside the penalty area and this is an unbelievable start from the hosts. Golovin takes this one, placing it and then swinging it back around the post. It's gone into the back of the net, beating Abdullah, with Russia now leading by 5. Russia 5 Saudi Arabia 0