By Anna Italia
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39% Ball Possession RUSSIA and 61% Ball Possession SAUDI ARABIA
Russia 5 – 0 Saudi Arabia 
12′ Yuri Gazinskiy
43′ Denis Cheryshev
71′ Artem Dzyuba
91′ Denis Cheryshev
94′ Aleksandr Golovin
The 2018 World Cup Opening Match First Stage – Group A, Russia vs Saudi Arabia on Thursday 14 June 2018 at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow ended with Russia crushing Saudi Arabia with a mega goleada 5-0. Russia claiming the full 3 points.
It is Russia to open the score in the 12th minute. Yuri Gazinskiy defeating Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Al-Mayouf with a headed shot in the bottom left corner. The assist is by Aleksandr Golovin with a cross following a corner conceded by Omar Hawsawi.
Swiftly followed by the first goal of the FIFA #WorldCup!#RUS have the lead, through Iury Gavinsky! #RUSKSA pic.twitter.com/biMV4JQmLU
— FIFA World Cup ? (@FIFAWorldCup) June 14, 2018
The first forced substitution for injury is for Russia in the 24th minute. Denis Cheryshev replacing injured Alan Dzagoev.
We hope it is not too serious, Alan Dzagoev ?#RUSKSA #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/BCPusUksbH
— FIFA World Cup ? (@FIFAWorldCup) June 14, 2018
Tough situation for Saudi Aria conceding another goal. Yep, it is Russia to increase the score in the 43rd minute. This time it is Denis Cheryshev to deliver a left footed shot in the top left corner. The assist is by Roman Zobnin. Way to go for Cheryshev who came in as a substitute and now scoring a goal. Surely, it is a historical goal because Cheryshev is the first substitute to score in an Opening Match of the FIFA World Cup.
And @Cheryshev makes it 2-0!
The number 6 scores for Russia minutes after the @FIFAWorldCup account reaches 6 million followers. That’s cool. #RUSKSA #WorldCup #RUS pic.twitter.com/rlGa4B0XHa
— FIFA World Cup ? (@FIFAWorldCup) June 14, 2018
Things are working out perfectly for Russia. Imagine, Russia making the second substitution in the 70th minute with Artem Dzyuba replacing Fedor Smolov. A minute later, in the 71st minute, there it is Dzyuba increasing the score with a headed shot in the bottom right corner. The assist is by Aleksandr Golovin with a cross. Amazing, two subs giving their best and not disappointing their fans by scoring goals as saying “Here we are”
Two subs. Two goals. #RUS are heading towards three points in Moscow!
It is safe to say @TeamRussia enjoyed their third goal at the Luzhniki! #RUS#RUSKSA#WorldCup pic.twitter.com/qfrHm0FxvQ
— FIFA World Cup ? (@FIFAWorldCup) June 14, 2018
#RUSKSA #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/QtX0jzSLxn
— FIFA World Cup ? (@FIFAWorldCup) June 14, 2018
Total chaos, a nightmare for Saudi Arabia in this 2018 World Cup debut. Russia scoring the fourth goal of the match in the 91st minute. The hero again is “Super Sub” Denis Cheryshev scoring his second goal leaving goalkeeper Al-Mayouf without hope unable to stop his left footed shot going all the way to the top right corner. The headed assist is by Artem Dzyuba.
What a goal!
That’s now 4-0 to the hosts!#RUSKSA#RUS #KSA pic.twitter.com/kYnprr1KqG
— FIFA World Cup ? (@FIFAWorldCup) June 14, 2018
Here is RUSSIA official starting lineup – formation by Head Coach Cherchesov:
Russia (4-2-3-1): Akinfeev; Fernandes, Kutepov, Ignashevich, Zhirkov; Gazinskiy, Zobnin; Samedov, Dzagoev, Golovin; Smolov.
Here is SAUDI ARABIA official starting lineup – formation by Head Coach Pizzi:
Arabia Saudita (4-3-3): Al-Mayouf; Al-Burayk, Omar Hawsawi, Osama Hawsawi, Al-Shahrani; Al-Jassim, Otayf, Al-Faraj; Al-Shehri, Al-Sahlawi, Al-Dawsari.
The teams for #RUSKSA are in… ?#WorldCup pic.twitter.com/rjPSQQWUQ5
— FIFA World Cup ? (@FIFAWorldCup) June 14, 2018
ICYMI // #KSA#RUSKSA #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/nwORzeSowg
— FIFA World Cup ? (@FIFAWorldCup) June 14, 2018
ICYMI // #RUS#RUSKSA #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/LZ7mfAePcw
— FIFA World Cup ? (@FIFAWorldCup) June 14, 2018
#RUSKSA | NEWS
Argentina’s Nestor Pitana has been assigned as the referee for the Opening Match of the 2018 FIFA #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/sS2OAuUSx3
— FIFA World Cup ? (@FIFAWorldCup) June 12, 2018
The 2018 FIFA #WorldCup is currently averaging five goals per game!
The perfect start for @TeamRussia!#RUSKSA #RUS #KSA pic.twitter.com/jPPUiycsJD
— FIFA World Cup ? (@FIFAWorldCup) June 14, 2018
2018 FIFA World Cup
Russia 5 – 0 Saudi Arabia
Thursday 14 June 2018
Luzhniki Stadium
Moscow, Russia
18:00
Referee: PITANA Nestor (ARG)
Assistant Referee 1: DE CARVALHO Emerson (BRA)
Assistant Referee 2: BELATTI Juan Pablo (ARG)
Fourth official: RICCI Sandro (BRA)
Video Assistant Referee: IRRATI Massimiliano ITA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 1: Mauro VIGLIANO ARG
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 2: ASTROZA Carlos CHI
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 3: ORSATO Daniele ITA
Goals: 12′ Yuri Gazinskiy (R), 43′ Denis Cheryshev (R), 71′ Artem Dzyuba (R), 91′ Denis Cheryshev (R),
94′ Aleksandr Golovin (R)
Official lineups – formations:
Russia (4-2-3-1): Akinfeev; Fernandes, Kutepov, Ignashevich, Zhirkov; Gazinskiy, Zobnin; Samedov, Dzagoev, Golovin; Smolov.
Subs.: Lunev, Gabulov; Semenov, Kudriashov, Granat, Smolnikov, Cheryshev, Kuziaev, Aleksey Miranchuk, Anton Miranchuk, Erokhin, Dzyuba.
Coach: Cherchesov
Arabia Saudita (4-3-3): Al-Mayouf; Al-Burayk, Omar Hawsawi, Osama Hawsawi, Al-Shahrani; Al-Jassim, Otayf, Al-Faraj; Al-Shehri, Al-Sahlawi, Al-Dawsari.
Subs: Al-Mosailem, Al-Owais; Al-Harbi, Al-Bulayhi, Motaz Hawsawi, Bahbir, Al-Khaibri, Kanno, Al-Khaibari-Al-Moqahwi, Al-Muwallad, Asiri.
Coach: Pizzi
Referee: Pitana (ARG)