FIFA World Cup 2018: Dream start for hosts Russia; Portugal-Spain high-voltage clash at Sochi tonight

The 2018 FIFA World Cup got off to a brilliant start with hosts Russia inflicting one of Saudi Arabia’s worst defeats, thrashing the Asian giants 5-0 at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow Thursday night in the inaugural Group A tie.

#BREAKING: Hosts Russia thrash Saudi Arabia 5-0 in #WorldCup curtain-raiser

PIC: Reuters pic.twitter.com/YQY0SZQQqI

— NEWS LIVE (@NewsLiveGhy) June 14, 2018

Iury Gazinsky scored the first goal of Russia 2018 to give the hosts the lead in the 12^th minute. Substitute Denis Cheryshev, who replaced the injured Alan Dzagoev, doubled the lead before the half-time break.

#FifaWorldCup2018 : #Rus take the lead against #SaudiArabia, Yury Gazinsky scores the opening goal of #WorldCup #Russia2018.#WorldCup #RUSKSA

— NEWS LIVE (@NewsLiveGhy) June 14, 2018

#FifaWorldCup2018 : #Rus double their lead against #KSA, Denis Cheryshev taps into the net to make it 2-0 for the hosts in the 43rd minute.#WorldCup#RUSKSA https://t.co/ts0pV2uiOX

— NEWS LIVE (@NewsLiveGhy) June 14, 2018

Artem Dzyuba made it 3-0 for the hosts in the 71^st minute, moments after coming in as a substitute while Cheryshev scored his second (91^st minute) of the match in injury time. Aleksandr Golovin’s free kick in the dying minutes sealed victory for the hosts who dominated the match despite being ranked three notches below Saudi Arabia in the FIFA rankings.

Some very interesting stats from #RUSKSA.

For @TeamRussia, there's only one that matters.

⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️ #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/FxLVv2S6uy

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 14, 2018

Meanwhile, three matches will be played today: the first tie of the day will be played between Egypt and Uruguay at the Ekaterinburg Arena, Ekaterinburg. The match will begin at 5:30pm IST. Morocco will face Iran in the second clash at the Saint Petersburg Stadium, St. Petersburg (8:30pm IST).

On the other hand, European champions Portugal will take on 2010 World Cup winners Spain at the Fisht Stadium in Sochi. The match will begin at 11:30pm IST.

#FifaWorldCup2018 | Three matches to be played today:

1. #Egy vs #Uru (Group A)
Ekaterinburg Arena, Ekaterinburg.

2. #Mar vs #Irn (Group B)
Saint Petersburg Stadium, St. Petersburg.

3. #Por vs #ESP (Group B)
Fisht Stadium, Sochi.#WorldCup #EGYURU #MARIRN #PORESP pic.twitter.com/o0RcLr12ce

— NEWS LIVE (@NewsLiveGhy) June 15, 2018