World Cup 2018: Russia 5-0 Saudi Arabia - as it happened
(The Guardian Russia)

Denis Cheryshev came off the bench to score twice as hosts Russia swatted Saudi Arabia aside in the opening match of World Cup 2018Read Stuart James´ report from the Luzhniki Stadium 6.49pm BST Related: Russians enjoy dream World Cup opening despite Robbie Williams´ finger 6.33pm BST Player ratings: our readers` verdicts so far on #Rus v #Ksa https://t.co/ugSTHjxB1h #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/noN35Qbe99 6.32pm BST World Cup Football Daily: Don´t forget that we´ll be recording at stumps every night there´s football during this tournament, which means it´s time for me to head off and chew the fat on today´s action, before previewing tomorrow´s.You´ll be able to download our musings in all the usual places and we look forward to your company. Max Rushden and I will be joined by John Brewin in the studio tonight, while Sid Lowe and Barney Ronay will be on their respective unhackable burner phones from Russia. Football Weekly is going daily for the World Cup. Here`s @maxrushden in Russia (not really) to tell you what`s on the show tonight. Subscribe here: https://t.co/lDr5zvvxrU pic.twitter.com/VtMmFgNUE0 6.24pm BST An afternoon that began with Robbie Williams and Aida Garifullina performing a duet of Angels while standing atop a giant half-football in a short opening ceremony, draws to a close with Russia thrashing Saudi Arabia in the opening match of this summer´s World Cup. A fairly dreary game was studded with some excellent goals and while a Russia team low on confidence can take great heart from this emphatic victory, it´s difficult to put into words just how dreadful Saudi Arabia were. Ponderous and sloppy on the ball, which they gave away at every available opportunity. Their defence is awful, they are completely toothless in attack and failed to muster a single shot on goal. Igor Akinfeev in the Rudssia goal can scarcely have have made any easier days in the office. Short of taking a few kick-outs, he had nothing to do. Uruguay are next up for Saudi Arabia ...