• Home
  • Mail
  • Tumblr
  • News
  • Sports
  • Finance
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Answers
  • Groups
  • Mobile
  • More
Yahoo
    • Skip to Navigation
    • Skip to Main Content
    • Skip to Related Content
    • Mail
    Entertainment Home
    Follow Us
    • Oscars
    • Grammys
    • TV
    • Movies
    • Celebrity
    • Music
    • Videos
    • Movie Showtimes

    Russia smashes Saudi Arabia in World Cup opener, might not be worst host team ever

    Henry Bushnell
    FC YahooJune 14, 2018
    Reblog
    Share
    Tweet
    Share
    Denis Cheryshev celebrates Russia’s second goal in its 2018 World Cup-opening win over Saudi Arabia. (Getty)

    Heading into the 2018 World Cup, there were legitimate questions about whether host nation Russia would be the worst home team in tournament history. It had not won a game of any kind since October. It had not won a World Cup game since 2002.

    On the evidence of Thursday’s opener, it should avoid that ignominy. But in part because it was gifted the weakest group in World Cup history. And in part because it gets to play teams like Saudi Arabia.

    The Russians cruised to a 5-0 victory over the Saudis in a game that was, for 90 minutes, anything but exhilarating or inspiring. But it was nonetheless reassuring for the hosts, who put themselves in great position to get out of the group.

    Aleksandr Golovin stars

    The game was woefully short on quality by World Cup standards. But the one technically-gifted player on the field was the difference. That player was Aleksandr Golovin.

    Golovin, a 22-year-old midfielder who has attracted interest from big clubs around Europe, served in a 12th-minute cross to create the 2018 World Cup’s first goal. The cross, coupled with a stumbling Saudi defender, presented Iury Gazinsky with a picture-perfect opportunity to score his first international goal:

    Russia scores the first goal of the 2018 World Cup!!!

    : @FOXSoccer pic.twitter.com/8KwJTuAYAY

    — Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) June 14, 2018


    There was nothing special about the cross, nor the finish. But that was the story of the day. Russia didn’t have to be special. It just had to take advantage of Saudi Arabia’s inferiority. The defending was laughably poor all evening.

    Golovin would later put the game away by teeing up substitute Artem Dzyuba for Russia’s third:

    Dzyuba gets the third for Russia!

    Great cross from Golovin to all but put the game away for the hosts. #RUSKSA pic.twitter.com/o7ogKSQ9Lp

    — FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 14, 2018


    And then he got his moment in the spotlight to put an exclamation put on the victory in second-half stoppage time. He won a free kick, then curled it over the Saudi wall and inside the near post to punctuate a wonderful opening day for the hosts.

    This was simply the cherry on top from Golovin. pic.twitter.com/f8JJZr5apY

    — FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 14, 2018


    Dzagoev’s heartbreak, Cheryshev’s elation

    Golovin was behind the second goal as well. But the sequence of events that led to it began in the 23rd minute, when Alan Dzagoev pulled up on a sprint with a non-contact hamstring injury. He left the field dejected, and understandably so – he missed both Euro 2016 and the 2017 Confederations Cup due to injury, and might have just lost the rest of his 2018 World Cup too.

    But his replacement was Denis Cheryshev. Cheryshev – the only player on the field who plays his club soccer outside the nation he represents – more or less put the game away before halftime with a silky first touch and strong finish:

    UNBELIEVABLE first touch from Cheryshev!

    Russia take a 2-0 lead over Saudi Arabia thanks to this beautiful goal. #RUSKSA pic.twitter.com/SNb0wivZjZ

    — FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 14, 2018


    But it was Golovin who created this chance as well, scurrying onto a through-ball, holding up play, and dishing out the pass before the final pass. He was the star of the day.

    Cheryshev, though, will grab some of the headlines, because he scored Russia’s fourth with a wonderful outside-of-the-foot strike as the hosts poured it on.

    How did Cheryshev follow up a beautiful first goal?

    By scoring one like this. pic.twitter.com/cGq58weTrz

    — FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 14, 2018


    Saudi Arabia’s ineptitude

    Saudi Arabia, at times, played more aesthetic soccer than the Russians. Some of its players were better on the ball.

    But Saudi Arabia’s problem is that it is built to play as a superior team, not as an inferior one. Its entire roster comes from its domestic league, and the majority of it comes from that league’s top two clubs. Those clubs and their players are accustomed to possessing the ball, and playing on the front foot.

    Saudi Arabia, as Thursday demonstrated, is not going to be able to do that at the World Cup. Rather than play on the front foot, it’s going to be vulnerable. It’s going to get exposed. And even a team as ordinary as Russia was able to do just that.

    The real highlight of the game

    Vladimir Putin, sitting next to FIFA president Gianni Infantino, and two seats away from Saudi Arabian crown prince Mohammad bin Salman, celebrated Russia’s first goal just as you would expect an evil quasi-dictator to celebrate it:

    Did you call Donald and wish him happy birthday?

    No, you?

    Oh well. pic.twitter.com/mcEJPzoV47

    — Nick Bromberg (@NickBromberg) June 14, 2018


    Group A

    Uruguay and Egypt face off in the other Group A opener on Friday, with Mohamed Salah set to play. Egypt and Russia are expected to compete for the runner-up slot, with Uruguay the clear favorite.

    And with goal differential potentially pivotal, Russia’s five-goal win on Thursday put it in the driver’s seat for second place.

    – – – – – – –

    Henry Bushnell covers global soccer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Question? Comment? Email him at henrydbushnell@gmail.com, or follow him on Twitter @HenryBushnell, and on Facebook.

    More World Cup on Yahoo Sports:
    • Russian lawmaker warns against sex with foreigners
    • How will Russia’s many problems affect the World Cup?
    • U.S., Canada and Mexico win right to host 2026 World Cup
    • Potential U.S. 2026 World Cup host cities, ranked 1-17

    Reblog
    Share
    Tweet
    Share

    What to Read Next

    • Chicago police arrest 2 black suspects in attack on Smollett

      Associated Press
    • Ann Coulter Hits Back at Trump: ‘The Only National Emergency Is That Our President Is an Idiot’

      The Wrap
    • Arrested Nigerian Brothers in Jussie Smollett Case Both Filed for Bankruptcy After Mounting Debt

      TheBlast
    • Sister Wives Star Mariah Brown Is Engaged to Audrey Kriss! See Their Sweet Photo

      People
    • Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom are engaged — see her pink, flower-inspired ring

      Yahoo Celebrity
    • Hilary Duff's Daughter Cries Over Her Valentine's Day Rose from Dad Matthew Koma: 'Wrong Color'

      People
    • Listen to Cardi B and Bruno Mars team-up 'Please Me'

      AFP Relax News
    • Brad Pitt has one major regret in Jennifer Aniston marriage

      AOL.com
    • ‘Morning Joe’ Rips Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Over Amazon Pull-Out: ‘She Only Cares About Herself’

      The Wrap
    • Lauren Sanchez’s Brother Calls Her Jeff Bezos Romance 'Legendary,' Source Says Pair Still Together

      People
    • Scott Disick Gifts Sofia Richie a New Chanel Bag Before Romantic Valentine's Date

      People
    • Kendall Jenner Talks Keeping Her Relationships Private, Ending Romances Quickly

      Entertainment Tonight
    • Ben Affleck Explains His Reason for Retiring as Batman

      Entertainment Tonight
    • Why Andy Cohen’s 50th Birthday Bash Was ‘a Going-Away Party’ for His Old Life

      People
    • Tristan Thompson Sends Khloé Kardashian Lavish Roses as They Spend Valentine's Day Apart

      People
    • Arkansas Mom Shot in Face with Crossbow While Protecting Family, Drives Herself to Hospital

      People

    Trump declares 'emergency' to build wall, Democrats cry foul

    John: Democrats are worried about not having enough votes to regain power.

    Join the Conversation
    1 / 5

    121

    • J.J. Abrams announces the end of 'Star Wars: Episode IX' with heartfelt photo: 'I'm forever indebted to you all'

      Yahoo Movies
    • Suspect in Jussie Smollett Attack Took a Photo with Lee Daniels on ‘Empire’ Set

      TheBlast
    • Lindsay Lohan threatens to 'expose' CBS after mom Dina fails to win 'Big Brother'

      Yahoo TV
    • Major Airlines Including Delta and American Adding New Gender Options for Non-Binary Passengers

      People
    • Inside Mandy Moore and Ryan Adams' 6-Year Marriage: 'It Was Heavy. It Was Dark. It Was Lonely'

      People
    • Two Men Arrested in Jussie Smollett Case

      Entertainment Tonight
    • Jussie Smollett Shares Why He Didn't Initially Turn Over His Phone to Authorities

      Entertainment Tonight Videos
    • Why Amazon Isn't Coming to Queens — And Why Some New Yorkers Are Thrilled

      Esquire
    • RHONY's Bethenny Frankel Shares Sweet Selfie with Boyfriend Paul Bernon on Valentine's Day

      People
    • Side Effects May Include: Valentine's Day First Date

      CBSTV Videos
    • Walmart’s Presidents’ Day Sale Has Insane Deals on Mattresses, TVs, and More (for Cheap!)

      People
    • Kandi Burruss Reacts to Success of New Ariana Grande Song She Helped Write

      Entertainment Tonight
    • Meghan Markle Is Returning to the Big Screen After a Past Film Gets Picked Up

      Entertainment Tonight
    • How Big govt. would seize American homes if Trump’s wall is built

      Yahoo View
    • 'Bachelor' Colton Underwood Says He Left Charity Event Early After He Was Inappropriately Touched

      Entertainment Tonight
    • Sammy Hagar confirms Van Halen’s management contacted Michael Anthony

      Consequence of Sound