Russia thrash Saudi Arabia: What we learnt

The most eagerly anticipated sporting event of the year kicked off on Thursday with host nation squaring up against Saudi Arabia in Moscow. The Arabs were soundly beaten.

Russia were favourites going into their opening match against Saudi Arabia, but few would have expected them to put five past the Green Falcons without conceding.

It was indeed a five-star performance from the Russians, and they are surely deserving of the adulation they are getting at the moment.

As one would expect, there were a lot of talking points....

Russia qualification not impossible

After the draw for the group stage of the World Cup which saw Russia pitted in the same group as Egypt and Uruguay, one would have thought the Russians like South Africa in 2010, would bow out in the opening phase despite being the host nation. Coupled with how they struggled in the international friendlies in preparation for the tournament, one must have felt they would find it difficult to progress from the group stages.

But judging by what we have seen from their match against the Saudis, getting into the knockout phase might not be as difficult as some feared.

Russia was irresistible playing in front of their home crowd and needed only 12 minutes to take the lead courtesy of Yury Gazinskys header before Denis Cheryshev doubled it just before halftime. The Sbornaya went on to score three more in the second half, becoming the first ever team to score five goals in the opening match of the World Cup.

Up next for the hosts is a date with the Pharaohs of Egypt and if things go their way, a positive result there would see them progress with a game to spare. But all hands must remain on deck as they take it a step at a time.


Amateur defending cost Saudi Arabia

It was a heavy defeat for the Green Eagles and they can have only themselves to blame. Some of the defending on their part was shocking and it really could have been much worse.

The Saudis managed to control possession, eventually edging out the Russians with a percentage of 61 to 31 but they did little when they had the ball. Igor Akinfeev, the Russia goalkeeper was a virtual spectator all game and didn't even make a save, with the Saudis unable to register even a single shot on target.

It doesn't get any easier for the Green Eagles as they prepare to face the mighty Uruguay next week Wednesday and a bad result there could see them eliminated. And it's difficult to see them getting anything but a beaten at the hands of La Celeste.