2018 FIFA World Cup: Fantastic opening ceremony and the same result!
June 15, 2018 | 13:48 |249
Well, here we are! The most awaited quadrennial “the planet’s biggest football tournament” started with the opening match between the national teams of Russia and Saudi Arabia. First a few words about the opening ceremony of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.Viktor KARDASHOV
Moscow Luzhniki Stadium with seating capacity of up to 81,000, after a large-scale renovation today hosted not only the mundial opening match, but also became a place for a colorful ceremony, attended by President Putin and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
There was a dazzling on-pitch light show to accompany famous British singer Robbie Williams and Russian opera star Aida Garifullina, with performers dressed in the colors of each of the 32 World Cup teams bopping to the music. Official FIFA ambassador Victoria Lopyreva then emerged with the official match ball for the World Cup opener, while former Brazil star Ronaldo was accompanied by official mascot Zabivaka and by a boy – the hero of a special video, shown to viewers on huge screens ....
A match between the host team and Saudi Arabia followed speeches at the opening ceremony of the President of Russia and FIFA President.
And….here we go! The “falcons” (such an informal nickname is worn by the Saudi national team) cause the first kick on the ball. After a relatively equal ten minutes of play, the Russian team opens the scoring. Alexander Golovin accurately bowls the ball to the right corner of the goalkeeper and Yuri Gazinsky from the FC “Krasnodar” who left without guardianship head a goal from a cross against the Saudi goalkeeper.
So, there is the first goal of the world champion and his author is the midfielder from the Kuban club! Awesome start!
The Russian team encouraged by success is trying to organize “on hot scent” several effective attacks. Goalkeeper of green “falcons” is reliable on position. Led by Argentine coach of Spanish origin Juan Antonio Pizzi, football players of Saudi Arabia are dangerously snapping.
At the 23rd minute of the match, the Russian team held a forced (but as it turned out, very profitable) replacement – Alan Dzagoev fell, grabbed the hip and could not continue the game, instead of which Denis Cheryshev appeared on the field. It is from him at the end of the first half, the Saudis get a “goal in the locker room.” D.Cheryshev from the Spanish “Villarreal” figured out the two defenders of the guests and head a goal under the crossbar.
The assistants were all the same Alexander Golovin, who attacked, and Roman Zobnin, who gave the pass to the author of the second goal.
The result of the first half - 2: 0 in favor of the Russian team.
The second half of the match began without changes in the composition. Saudi Arabia continued, as in the first half, more to own the ball, but Russia – to respond with counterattacks ... At the 56th minute, Taisir Al-Jassim could reduce the gap in the account of his team, but did not reach the ball. I do not know what words Juan Antonio Pizzi found during the break for his wards, but the falcons looked more active in the second half. Time flows swiftly and the Spanish coach will soon have to stake everything and make replacements in the lineup.
At the 71st minute, the Russian team increases its advantage to three goals! Artem Dzyuba scores goal. The tactics of effective counter-attacks work completely. The head coach of the Russians Stanislav Cherchesov does not hide his gratification.
A little, more than ten minutes remains until the end of the regular time of the match, and the Russian team is beginning to pressure on ... Well – it is fully justified. Saudi Arabia makes last change ...
In the end of the match, dangerous moments occur at both gates. The arbitrator adds three minutes. And on the 91st minute of the match the same Denis Cheryshev draws a “double”, beautifully sending the ball under the crossbar over the goalkeeper of guests, who could not reach the shell.
And ... it’s just fantastic! In the last seconds, thanks to the efforts of Alexander Golovin, the score is 5: 0 in favor of the host team! The ball was scored from the standard.
Well! The World Cup opening match was magnificent!
We will wait for more interesting and exciting fights further. Tomorrow, on the second day of the championship, the teams from groups A and B will meet.
