RUSSIA needed its national team to deliver. The worst-ranked nation at the World Cup, they entered to their home tournament winless in their last seven matches. Their president Vladimir Putin had been urging them to step up. And with him watching on, it was a fitting moment for them to turn up.

Russia overwhelmed Saudi Arabia 5-0 for an emphatic start to their opening Group ‘A’ campaign as the World Cup kicked off with an explosion of colour and the pride.

In a scrappy start, it seemed the pressure was getting to them. But after Iury Gazinsky’s headed them in front in the 11th minute with his first international goal, the hosts dominated. Denis Cheryshev then scored twice and fellow substitute Artem Dyzuba also struck before Aleksandr Golovin capped a masterful performance with a superb injury-time free-kick to give the hosts plenty to celebrate and generate optimism that they can advance from the group that also has Egypt and Uruguay.

For the Saudis, this was a humiliating performance with Juan Antonio Pizzi’s men showing little of the form that saw them qualify for the World Cup. Their defence was under constant pressure and they were completely overran in midfield.

The opening game of the 21st FIFA showpiece was between two of the tournament’s lowest-ranked nations. And it showed at the start. Neither the hosts, ranked 70th in the FIFA rankings, or the Saudis, ranked just three places higher, could string passes together.

Russia’s pressing though was better and after they won a corner which the Saudi Arabian defense failed to clear, an unmarked Gazinsky had all the time and space to get his head to Golovin’s cross and send it past Abdullah Al-Mayouf.

Russia suffered a blow when Alan Dzagoev, their star playmaker in midfield, seemed to pick up a hamstring injury and was replaced by Cheryshev.

With Dzagoev out, though, Golovin stepped up and he was involved in the move that saw Cheryshev score in the 43rd. Roman Zobnin found the Villarreal striker inside the box and he did the rest with an emphatic finish after a gentle cutback saw him evade two diving Saudi defenders.

The writing seemed on the wall from Saudi Arabia at half-time and, with the Russians buoyed by a strong home support, they needed their defence to tighten up.

They didn’t and Russia made them pay. Dyzuba had been on the pitch for only a minute when he got onto the end of Golovin’s floated cross and headed it powerfully past Al-Mayouf in the 71st.

Russia turned up the style in injury time, closing the game to loud roars of approval from their fans. Cheryshev scored in the first minute of added time with a superb shot on the turn and Golovin left Al-Mayouf with no chance with a free-kick bend around the Saudi wall.

The strong performance from Stanislav Cherchesov’s meant the night ended in the same way it began: with a lot of noise and revelry.

ROBBIE ROCKS LUZHNIKI

Earlier, the stadium roared as Robbie Williams appeared. This was the first time FIFA was holding the opening ceremony only 30 minutes before kickoff.

The British pop star had been criticised him for appearing at the opening ceremony, accused of “selling his soul to dictator Vladimir Putin” but he was here and in the festive mood, no one really seemed to care.

Fans reveled and sang along as he performed his hits ‘Let Me Entertain You’, ‘Feel’ before being joined by Russian soprano Aida Garifullina to sing ‘Angel’.

At the same time as the duo performed, there was a dazzling show on the pitch with performers dancing dressed in colours of the 32 participating countries.

The performers then put out a big welcome on the pitch before the Williams closed the opening with a few minutes of ‘Rock DJ’.

It was time for Putin to welcome the world to the big Russian party.

“This event is being held in Russia for the first time and we’re very happy,” said Putin. “Russians love football. It was love at first sight. Since we first saw a football match in 1897, we’ve been working towards the day we could host the members of the global football community.”

Russia has had a rocky road since winning the right to host football’s big mass in 2010. It has survived a huge doping storm, allegations of corruption in their hosting bid as well as human rights abuse. There were concerns over hooliganism and racism and even FIFA president Gianni Infantino looked relieved as the tournament kicked off.

“As of today for one month, football will conquer Russia and through football Russia will conquer the world,” said Infantino.

It was only fitting that Russia got off to such an emphatic victory.

Published in Dawn, June 15th, 2018