Summary
Substitute Denis Cheryshev came off the bench to score a brace as hosts Russia made a statement of intent to other group A rivals that they will not be pushovers at the tournament by putting five unanswered goals past an out of par Saudi Arabia.
The hosts were under a lot of pressure coming into the match having been on a poor run of form but all jitters were put to sleep when Yuri Gazinkly rose high to power Aleksandr Golovin’s left wing cross for the first goal in the 11th minute.
The hosts were quick on the break and clinical as Cheryshev capped of a dominating first half display by rounding the goalkeeper to score a beautiful second goal in the 43rd minute.
Perhaps the only downside to a good first half was when Alan Drazagoev limped off the field with what looked like a tournament ending hamstring injury to be replaced by the aforementioned Cheryshev.
Artem Dzuba put the game beyond reach with a powerful header after being set up by the lively Golovin. Cheryshev got his brace with a splendid shot from outside the box in injury time. Golovin capped of a man of the match display by completing the route in the 5th minute of injury time.
Russia will now go temporarily top of group A as they await the match between Uruguay and Egypt.
Highlights
Moments
11′ Goal. Russia open the scoring. Yuri Gazinkly jumps high to meet Aleksandr Golovini’s cross from the left and head in the first goal of the world cup. What a time to score your first international goal. 
Match Stats
Player Ratings
Line ups
Good start Russia