World Cup 2018
Russia vs Saudi Arabia
Group A
Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow
June 14th 2018
Kick-off at 16:00 (4pm) GMT
Following what is expected to be a glittering opening ceremony the host nation Russia will be hoping to match the performance with an equally dazzling display on the field when they take on Saudi Arabia in the opening match of World Cup 2018.
The hopes of an entire nation will be pinned on Sbornaya – the name given to the national team – as they prepare to entertain the watching world. Experience goalkeeper and captain Igor Akinfeev will lead his team out on Thursday with his side heading into the tournament in less than impressive form. Having avoided the gruelling qualifying process as the hosts, Stanislav Cherchesov has overseen just one win in their last 10 internationals since the start of the European Championships in 2016.
Russia recent results:
05/06/2018 – Russia 1-1 Turkey
30/05/2018 – Austria 1-0 Russia
27/03/2018 – Russia 1-3 France
23/03/2018 – Russia 0-3 Brazil
Saudi Arabia are the lowest ranked side in this year’s tournament. The world’s 70th best team according to FIFA will be appearing at their fifth World Cup after making their first appearance at USA ’94 when they reached the round of 16 against all the odds. Juan Antonio Pizzi has prepared his side well in recent months with a flurry of international fixtures. The Green Falcons followed up important victories over Algeria and Greece with further impressive performances against European giants Italy and Germany who have won the World Cup eight times between them, despite falling to respective 2-1 defeats.
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Saudi Arabia recent results:
08/06/2018 – Germany 2-1 Saudi Arabia
03/06/2018 – Saudi Arabia 0-3 Peru
28/05/2018 – Italy 2-1 Saudi Arabia
15/05/2018 – Saudi Arabia 2-0 Greece
The pair have faced just once before, in an international friendly in October 1993, when Alexandr Mostovoi’s brace for the visitors was cancelled out by a Khaled Messed’s double of his own before further goals from Hamsa Falatah and Fahed Al Mehallel sealed a historic win in front of 20 000 adoring home fans.
Russia vs Saudi Arabia head-to-head:
06/10/1993 – Saudi Arabia 4-2 Russia
All eyes will be on Russian midfielder Aleksandr Semedov who netted for his side in recent fixtures against Mexico and Turkey. The 33-year-old midfielder has netted seven times in 48 appearances for the national team and will be instrumental to success alongside fellow veteran midfielders Alan Dzagoev and Yuri Zhirkov
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