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The 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia got off to the perfect start for the hosts as the Russian national team cruised to a 5-0 victory over Saudi Arabia, using three goals from substitutes, including two from Denis Cheryshev.
Russia scored just 12 minutes into the match thanks to a header from Lury Gazinsky, but they would need nothing more to take all three points and move atop Group A.
Here's the winner from Yury Gazinsky:
What a time to get your first international goal!
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 14, 2018
Gazinsky scores the first goal of the FIFA #WorldCup to put Russia ahead 1-0. #RUSKSA pic.twitter.com/gKbBctrovp
But it wasn't all great for Russia, as they lost Alan Dzagoev to a hamstring injury before the attack starting clicking. Cheryshev then made it 2-0 right before halftime with a glorious touch and finish in the 43rd minute:
UNBELIEVABLE first touch from Cheryshev! 😱
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 14, 2018
Russia take a 2-0 lead over Saudi Arabia thanks to this beautiful goal. #RUSKSA pic.twitter.com/SNb0wivZjZ
Artem Dzyuba made it 3-0 with a fine, skying header over the Saudi Arabian keeper:
Dzyuba gets the third for Russia!
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 14, 2018
Great cross from Golovin to all but put the game away for the hosts. #RUSKSA pic.twitter.com/o7ogKSQ9Lp
Cheryshev made it 4-0 at the beginning of added time with this glorious strike with the outside of his foot, before a free kick from Aleksandr Golovin made it 5-0:
How did Cheryshev follow up a beautiful first goal?
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 14, 2018
By scoring one like this. 😍 pic.twitter.com/cGq58weTrz
This was simply the cherry on top from Golovin. 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/f8JJZr5apY
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 14, 2018
Cheryshev became the first to come off the bench to score in an opening World Cup game, meaning he became the first sub to score two in an opener. Dzyuba was also a sub in this one and scored, as the team got three goals off the bench.
It's an impressive start for the hosts who are now likely just three points away from a spot in the next round. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia needs to figure out how it is going to stop anybody. But of course, if you can't score, you aren't going anywhere. Consider the Saudi Arabian team a long shot to make the round of 16 with a negative-five goal differential to start the tourney.
Relive Russia vs. Saudi Arabia match commentary
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