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.

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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 17:28 · Sam Dymond]

66 mins: Russia 2-0 Saudi Arabia: Twenty minutes into this second half, and it has been flat to say the least. The hosts appear prepared to sit on their lead while Saudi Arabia look unable to find a way in which to trouble the Russian defence.

[14 June 2018 17:32 · Sam Dymond]

71 mins: GOAL! RUSSIA 3 SAUDI ARABIA 0:

Artem Dzyuba comes on as Russia's third and final substitute, and scores with his first touch! The forward had been on for Fedor Smolov for little over a minute when he escaped from his marker in the box, to plant Aleksandr Golovin's right-wing cross back beyond Abdullah Al-Mayoof and into the bottom corner. A textbook header and a comfortable three points for the hosts on the opening day.

[14 June 2018 17:36 · Sam Dymond]

An instant impact.

[14 June 2018 17:41 · Sam Dymond]

Spot the difference.

[14 June 2018 17:43 · Sam Dymond]

81 mins: Russia 3 Saudi Arabia 0: Into the last ten minutes, and the hosts of the 2018 World Cup have got themselves a solid base to build their Group A campaign. Waiting to face Russia are Mohamed Salah's Egypt and Luis Suarez's Uruguay.

[14 June 2018 17:47 · Sam Dymond]

And it all looked so good in those opening 19 seconds.

[14 June 2018 17:50 · Sam Dymond]

88 mins: The best player on the pitch - Aleksandr Golovin - has just received the first yellow card of the tournament. The CSKA Moscow midfielder has provided two goals on a plate for teammates but has now been cautioned for two fouls in quick succession. 

[14 June 2018 17:51 · Sam Dymond]

90 mins: The board goes up for three added minutes. It neatly matches the three goals and three points Russia have claimed in the tournament's first game.

[14 June 2018 17:51 · Sam Dymond]

90+1 mins: GOAL! RUSSIA 4 SAUDI ARABIA 0:

Scrap that, it's four goals! And Denis Cheryshev has his second! It's another fantastic goal from the substitute, who takes charge of a dropping ball just inside the Saudi Arabia area and flicks a nonchalant effort with the outside of his right boot into the far corner of Abdullah Al-Mayoof's net. It's the delicious icing on a somewhat disappointing cake.

[14 June 2018 17:54 · Sam Dymond]

90+3 mins: A yellow card for Taisir Al Jassam and a free-kick to Russia on the edge of the box should be the final nail in Saudi Arabia's coffin.