Russia coach Stansilav Cherchesov was spot-on with his substitutions in the opening match of their home World Cup on Thursday as Denis Cheryshev scored a brace and Artem Dzyuba also found the net off the bench in a stunning 5-0 triumph over Saudi Arabia.
Iury Gazinsky opened the scoring before Man of the Match Cheryshev and Dzyuba also found the net, and Cheryshev and Alexandr Golovin struck in stoppage-time to help Russia end a winless run of seven games and make sure they have a chance to advance into the knock-out stages.
The duo are the first subs to ever score in a World Cup opener, according to statisticians Opta. Russia's win was also the biggest in a World Cup opener in 84 years since Italy's 7-1 over the United States in 1934.
Russia dominated in front of a sell-out crowd of 78,011 - and millions more on TV - at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium and also overcame a major blow when forward Alan Dzagoev had to limp off midway through the first half with what appeared to be left hamstring injury.
The other Group A teams Uruguay and Egypt meet Friday in Yekaterinburg. Russia next play Egypt on Tuesday in St Petersburg while the Saudis face Uruguay the following day in Rostov-on-Don.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman Al Saud and FIFA president Gianni Infantino attended the opener along with further dignitaries and heads of state - but none from Western European or North American countries.
Number 70 Russia and 67 Saudi Arabia kicked off the tournament as the lowest-ranked of all 32 teams after a short opening ceremony with Robbie Williams as headliner on an overcast evening.
Russian fans did not have a lot of faith in their team after meagre results but the Luzhniki erupted for the first time in the 12th when Gazinsky rose unmarked to head a long cross from the left by Golovin into the bottom left corner.
But nine minutes later Dzagoev clutched his left thigh while running in midfield, collapsed in pain and had to helped off the pitch, with Villareal's Cheryshev taking his place.
Saudi Arabia captain Osama Hawsawi was on his guard against Golovin - and Argentine referee Nestor Pitana didn't bother to consult the video assistant despite Golovin's penalty appeal.
The hosts did better in the 43rd on another fast move, with the ball eventually falling to Cheryshev who rounded two defenders and smashed into the net at the near left post.
The home fans finally held their breath in the 56th when Taiseer Al Jassam just failed to slide into a sharp cross in front of an empty Russian goal on the only serious chance for the Saudis.
But Zenit St Petersburg forward Dzyuba headed the third a minute after coming on for Fedor Smolov, and the added time efforts - a great curling shot into the top corner from Cheryshev and Golovin's free kick - only further boosted the team for upcoming tasks and rallied the home fans behind them.

Source: Marca

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