Russia ease past Saudi Arabia in the opening match of the world cup
The
kick-off to the world prestigious football tournament is under way with the
host Russia facing Saudi Arabia in an opening encounter of the tournament.
Both
team started brightly, YASIR ALSHAHRANI (Saudi Arabia) forced KUTEPOV (Russia)
to a brilliant save in the first 10 minutes of opening into the first half.
A
corner conceded by Saudi Arabia defender MOHAMMED ALBURAYK, the corner saw YURI
GAZINSKY (Russia) header from the right side of the six yard box to the bottom
left corner at 15 minutes of the first half. Assisted by Aleksandr Golovin with
a cross from the resulting corner.
Russia
continues pressing which saw Saudi Arabia conceding a free kick in the defensive
half. The tempo of the game has caught Saudi Arabia out at the back. They need
to put their foot on the ball and play the match at their own pace.
Saudi
Arabia are beginning to press harder which earn them a great corner. Al
shahrani leads a counter for Saudi Arabia and he breaks into a promising
position. Al sahlawi puts kutepov under pressure and forces the defender to put
the ball wide of the post.
Russia
doesn’t want to stop. They could possibly have had a second, but the attacking
players got in each other’s way and the chance was fizzled out. Dzagoev is down
in a heap clutching his hamstring. He was substituted for Denis Cheryshev due
to his injury. Dzagoev was pulling the strings for the Russians in the middle
of the park. His loss could have a huge impact on the outcome of the game.
Free
kick conceded llya kutepov. Attempt missed following the free kick which saw Salem
Al Dawsari (Saudi Arabia) right footed shot from outside the box flying too
high. At the other end Russia
probe down the left, but on this occasion Golovin moves too soon and is caught
offside. The officials have been told to give the benefit of the doubt to the
attacking side, but that decision was clear.
Al Dawsari allow Russia to break on a counter
attack following a loose ball. Smolov leads the counter and slides a pass for
Golovin before being taken out. The midfielder continues the attack in the box,
but Osama Hawsawi makes an inch-perfect tackle to win the ball. Golovin wanted
a penalty, but the referee immediately turned down his appeal.
CHERYSHEV doubles Russia's
lead in the closing stage of the first half which gave the host nation an edge
of 2-0 lead into the second half. Goals from Yuri Gazinskiy and Denis Cheryshev
have handed the host nation a dream start to the tournament. They've exposed
Saudi Arabia at the back, first in the air as Gazinsky rose to direct a header
beyond the reach of Abdullah Al-Mayoof. The second goal came just before the
break with a counter at speed before Cheryshev scored the second of the game.
The second half is
more engaging for the host nation has it took them a while to add to their
tally. Saudi Arabia failed to record a single shot on target in the second half.
DZYUBA made it 3-0 in
advantage to the host through a loose ball. Saudi Arabia are opened up easily
at the back, allowing Golovin to float a cross from the right flank towards the
middle. Dzyuba makes the move to beat the attention of the Saudi defender before
placing his effort past Al-Mayoof.
CHERYSHEV teams with
team mate Dzyuba to score a stunning goal. The winger ends the game on the
highest of notes with a screamer into the top corner. Dzyuba won the knockdown
in the final third. Cheryshev collected the ball on the edge of the box and
took a touch before firing at goal with the outside of his foot. His effort
flew over Al-Mayoof into the top corner of the net. A stunning goal, which caps
a brilliant performance off the bench.
Saudi Arabia are of no
match to the Russians as the host nation continue in a flying color which saw
them adding a 5th goal from Aleksandr Golovin. The Arabian fans was left
dejected as the referee blew the final whistle which ensure a brilliant start
to the tournament from the host nation.
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