Russia vs Saudi Arabia World Cup 2018 as it happened: Latest score, goals and updates as hosts lead in Moscow

The hosts kick off the tournament and win 5-0 at the Luhzniki Stadium

World Cup Opening Ceremony

After months of anticipation, World Cup 2018 finally gets underway on Thursday as hosts Russia take on Saudi Arabia at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.

Little is expected of Russia at the tournament, but their best chance of qualifying for the knockout stage involves beating a nation making their first World Cup appearance since 2006.

Saudi Arabia enter the competition led by their third coach in less than a year, and know only a positive result against Russia will give them hope of being competitive in a wide open Group A.

Follow all the live action below…

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What time is kick-off?

Russia vs Saudi Arabia kicks off at 4pm.

Where can I watch it?

The game will be broadcast live on ITV. Coverage begins with the opening ceremony at 2:30pm.

Odds:

Russia: 7/15

Saudi Arabia: 10/1

Draw: 37/10

Prediction:

Russia 1-0 Saudi Arabia: The hosts will get the positive start they so desperately want, but it won’t be easy.

Key Points

• The 2018 World Cup officially gets underway
• Yuri Gazinksy opened the scoring for the hosts with a well taken first-half header
• Denis Cheryshev doubled the hosts lead after a jinking run through the Saudi defence
• Substitute Artem Dzyuba headed in a powerful third
• Cheryshev curled in a delicious fourth before Aleksandr Golovin's sumptuous late free-kick

[14 June 2018 13:48 · Sam Dymond]

The time is finally upon us!

It's been 1433 days since Mario Gotze volleyed Germany to World Cup glory in Brazil, now it's time for it to begin all over again.

Over the next four weeks, 32 sides will fight it out in Russia, all dreaming the same dream - being crowned champions of the world on July 15th.

Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of this, the first day of the 2018 World Cup finals.

Coming up, we'll be talking you through the opening ceremony in Moscow and then it's time for action, the opening game between Russia and Saudi Arabia.

[14 June 2018 14:01 · Sam Dymond]

Before the festivities and football get underway, let's take an in-depth look at the two squads facing off this afternoon.

First up, it's the hosts Russia, led by their coach Stanislav Cherchesov.

[14 June 2018 14:08 · Sam Dymond]

In the opposite corner, Juan Antonio Pizzi's Saudi Arabia aside.

The Green Falcons are the outsiders in Group A, but will know that there have been opening day shocks before.

[14 June 2018 14:36 · Sam Dymond]

Lenin looks down on the supporters arriving at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow...

[14 June 2018 14:43 · Sam Dymond]

Russia v Saudi Arabia

[14 June 2018 14:59 · Sam Dymond]

Both sets of fans are in good spirits as they enter the stadium.

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[14 June 2018 15:14 · Sam Dymond]

Here are how the two teams line up at the Luzhniki Stadium...

Russia: Akinfeev, Fernandes, Kutepov, Igansevich, Zhirkov, Gazinskiy, Zobnin, Samedov, Golovin, Dzagoev, Smolov

Subs: Lunev, Gabulov, Semenov, Cheryshev, Kuziaev, Kurdriashov, Granat, Al Miranchuk, An Miranchuk, Erokhin, Dzyuba, Smolnikov

Saudi Arabia: Al-Maiouf, Alburayk, Osama Hawsawi, Omar Hawsawi, Al-Shahrani, Otayf, Al-Dawsari, Al-Faraj, Al-Jassam, Al-Shehri, Al-Sahlawi

Subs: Almosailem, Alowais, Mansour, Ali, Hatan, Abdulmalek, Kanno, Alkhaibari, Hussain, Fahad, Muhannad, Motaz

Referee: Nestor Pitana (Argentina)

Russian goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev will add to his 106 caps. 

[14 June 2018 15:29 · Sam Dymond]

Russia have not won in seven matches, but is history on their side?

[14 June 2018 15:31 · Sam Dymond]

Our man in Moscow, Ed Malyon, booked his Robbie Williams tickets months ago...

[14 June 2018 15:32 · Sam Dymond]

It's time for the opening ceremony, he types with a certain degree of trepidation.