Russia exceeded forecasts and scored five goals for Saudi Arabia

Russia was reunited with the victory to inaugurate its World Cup, but lost another player due to injury. That was the balance of the hosts of the World Cup on Thursday, to start the tournament with an unappealing 5-0 win against Saudi Arabia.

Two brilliant goals from Denis Cheryshev, head butts Yuri Gazinsky and Artem Dzyuba and a free kick from Alexandr Golovin cheered the opening for the Russians, who reached the World Cup immersed in a seven-match winless streak.

Golovin was also the assistant in the goals of Gazinsky and Dzyuba. Better it could not be the result in the beginning of the match for a questioned equipment, the one of lower ranking of the FIFA between the 32 participants. The great fear in Russia is to be eliminated from his party in the first round.

That has only happened once in history, suffered by South Africa in 2010. But they overcame the first Group A test at the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow, delighting President Vladimir Putin. They played the game quickly when Gazinsky opened his scoring record with the national team by scoring the first goal of the tournament in the 12th minute.

The Russian luck was to be with a Saudi set that facilitated the duties to him with his embarrassing defensive indifference, practically statues in the field. Beyond the enthusiasm and willful effort, the team of Argentine coach Juan Antonio Pizzi left much to be desired. It reflected a lamentable inoperancia to spin passes. Can you imagine what could happen to them when they meet Uruguayan bombers Luis Suárez and Edinson Cavani in their next game? That will be next Wednesday in Rostov.

The jarring note for the locals was to add another low and messing more tactical lattice of his coach Stanislav Cherchesov And losing Alan Dzagoev is a hard blow, given that the holding ball was considered the most talented player in the squad.

Dzagoev retired after 24 minutes, evidencing a strong discomfort in a thigh. The injuries have been the torment of the Russians in the anteroom of the tournament.

His defense was left without Georgy Dzhikiya and Viktor Vasin for knee injuries and the same happened with striker Alexander Kokorin. But they knew how to take their first stake, and Cheryshev could be untouchable in the starting lineup. Villarreal midfielder and former Real Madrid entered by Dzagoev and put the 2-0 at 43.

Just one of the two Russian players who play abroad, signed a goal of great quality: exhibited feints to remove the flimsy Saudi brand and beat goalkeeper Abdullah Al-Muaiouf with a high shot. Dzyuba put the third at 71, on his first touch of the ball, walking through the area unopposed. The last two goals fell in the discounts, with a left-footed shot from Cheryshev from outside the box and Golovin sealing the score with a free-kick that embedded tight at the near post. The next test of Russia will be next Tuesday in St. Petersburg against Egypt.

They will need to pocket the three points by touching them to close the stage against Uruguay.