Russia’s Yury Gazinsky celebrates scoring their first goal with team mates. Photo: Reuters

KATHMANDU: The hosts Russia have comprehensively defeated Asian side Saudi Arabia by 5-0 in the opening fixture of the 2018 World Cup played at  Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow today.

Russia’s Yury Gazinsky, broke the dead-lock against run-a-play with a free header in the 12th minute, becoming the first player to score the opening goal of the tournament.

The hosts raced to double their lead in the 43rd minute after striker Denis Cheryshev evaded two challenges inside the box before rifling net from the tight angle to rapturous joy of the home supporters.

In the second half, Saudi Arabia came out all blazing against the hosts, they nearly pulled a goal back but failed a decisive touch at the far post after a weighted cut back in the danger area.

Substitute Artem Dzyuba notched his first and team’s third goal in the 71st minute to secure the match in the host’s favour. After conceding the third goal there was no way back into the game for Saudi Arabia except limiting the damage against the rampant hosts.

Yury Gazinsky scored his brace with a outside of left foot from 18 yards in the added minutes of the second half.

Aleksandr Golovin had a fabulous game with two assists before registering his name in the score sheet with the team’s fifth goal in the added minutes of the second half.

Although, Saudi Arabia had a better ball possession and passing accuracy in their game, they failed to create any clear-cut goal scoring chances.

Russia will take on Egypt at the Krestovsky Stadium in Saint Petersburg on June 19, whereas, Saudi Arabia will play against Uruguay the following day at the Rostov Arena in Rostov-on-Don.

In tomorrow’s fixture, Mohamed Salah’s Egypt will take on Luis Suarez’s Uruguay in the first match (5: 45 pm), In second fixture African side Morocco will lock horns with Asian side Iran (8:45 pm.

Two heavyweights, European Champion Portugal and former world champion Spain will contest in a mouth-watering fixture around 11:45 pm tomorrow.

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• Dhawan, Vijay hit centuries in strong opening stand
• Ahmadzai claims Afghanistan’s first test wicket

India’s Shikhar Dhawan hits a boundary. Photo: Reuters

BENGALURU: Afghanistan displayed their stomach for a fight in their maiden test by claiming five wickets in the final session to leave India on 347 for six after the opening day of the one-off contest on Thursday.

India’s Shikhar Dhawan and fellow centurion Murali Vijay raised 168 runs for the opening stand to vindicate the decision to bat as the hosts cruised to 280 for one after thoroughly dominating the first two sessions.

Afghanistan, who became the 12th test playing nation, clawed their way back in the final session at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium with some lion-hearted efforts by the bowlers against their top-ranked hosts.

Hardik Pandya was batting on 10 with Ravichandran Ashwin on seven at the other end when stumps were drawn.

Earlier, Dhawan became the first Indian to smash a century in the first session of a test as he and Vijay capitalised on Afghanistan’s limited bowling resources built around their spinners.

Left-handed Dhawan batted in the limited-overs mode to smash 107 off 96 balls, studding his blistering knock with 19 fours and three sixes.

Seamer Yamin Ahmadzai claimed Afghanistan’s first wicket in test cricket after the lunch break when Dhawan edged him to Rahmat Shah, who parried it towards the safe hands of Mohammad Nabi at first slip.

Vijay then took charge and punished Afghanistan’s three-pronged spin attack of Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Nabi on both sides of the wicket.

However, the tourists struck back in the final session.

Vijay fell leg-before after offering no shot to a Wafadar delivery to depart for 105. The right-hander’s 12th test century included 15 boundaries and a six.

Two balls later, Lokesh Rahul, promoted to number three ahead of Cheteshwar Pujara, chopped an innocuous Ahmadzai delivery onto his stumps to depart after a fluent 54.

Leading the Indian side in the absence of regular skipper Virat Kohli, who is recovering from a neck injury, Rahane made 10 before becoming Rashid’s maiden test victim.

Pujara scored 35, while stumper Dinesh Karthik, playing his first test in eight years, made four before being run out in the frantic third session.

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• Rain forces early tea as Vijay nears ton against Afghanistan

Russia’s Yury Gazinsky celebrates scoring their first goal with team mates. Photo: Reuters

KATHMANDU: Russia’s Yury Gazinsky celebrates after scoring the first goal of 2018 FIFA World Cup against Saudi Arabia during an opening fixture at the Luzkniki Stadium in Moscow today.