Yuri Gazinskiy’s headed goal in the 12th minute was all Russia needed, and the hosts added three goals in the final twenty minutes to win going away 5-0 over Saudi Arabia. The unexpected result for 70th-ranked Russia significantly increases their chances of emerging from a group boasting favorites Uruguay and Egypt.
Real Madrid youth product and current Villarreal CF left winger Denis Cheryshev made it 2-0 just before halftime, and he added a second in stoppage time before a heavily-partisan crowd in Moscow. Zenit St. Petersburg striker Artem Dzyuba scored in the 71st minute, and CSKA Moscow midfielder Aleksandr Golovin completed the scoring late in stoppage time to seal the decisive opening victory.