World Cup Match Moments: Game 1

Russia ended a 16-year wait for victory in the tournament by routing Saudi Arabia 5-0 Thursday in Group A, with the Russian president watching from the VIP box alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino and the Saudi crown prince.

It was the host nation’s first World Cup win since 2002, and it raises the hope that Russia can get past the group stage for the first time since the Soviet era.

Yuri Gazinsky initially put Russia ahead with a header from Alexander Golovin’s cross when the Saudis failed to clear a corner in the 12th minute. Gazinsky charged forward to meet the ball as Saudi player Taisir Al-Jassam stumbled, leaving a simple finish.

Russia head coach Stanislav Cherchesov, left, salutes to goal scorer Russia's Artyom Dzyuba during the group A match between Russia and Saudi Arabia which opens the 2018 soccer World Cup at the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, June 14, 2018. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

FIFA President Gianni Infantino, left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin stand for the athem prior to the match between Russia and Saudi Arabia which opens the 2018 soccer World Cup at the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, June 14, 2018. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Russia head coach Stanislav Cherchesov salutes Artyom Dzyuba after he scored his side's third goal against Saudi Arabia in the group A match which opened the 2018 soccer World Cup at the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, June 14, 2018. (AP Photo/Victor Caivano)

Saudi Arabia's Mohammed Alsahlawi, foreground, jumps for the ball with Russia's Alexander Samedov during the group A match between Russia and Saudi Arabia which opens the 2018 soccer World Cup at the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, June 14, 2018. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Russia's Denis Cheryshev celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the group A match between Russia and Saudi Arabia which opens the 2018 soccer World Cup at the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, June 14, 2018. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Russia's Yuri Gazinsky, left, celebrates scoring his side's first goal during the group A match against Saudi Arabia which opens the 2018 soccer World Cup at the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, June 14, 2018. (AP Photo/Victor Caivano)

Russia's Denis Cheryshev celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the group A match between Russia and Saudi Arabia which opens the 2018 soccer World Cup at the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, June 14, 2018. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Russia's Roman Zobnin, left, and Saudi Arabia's Abdullah Otayf vie for the ball during the group A match between Russia and Saudi Arabia which opens the 2018 soccer World Cup at the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, June 14, 2018. (AP Photo/Victor Caivano)

Russia's Alexander Samedov, right, tries to stop Saudi Arabia's Salem Aldawsari, center, during the group A match between Russia and Saudi Arabia which opens the 2018 soccer World Cup at the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, June 14, 2018. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

Russia's Artyom Dzyuba, right, scores his side's third goal during the group A match between Russia and Saudi Arabia which opens the 2018 soccer World Cup at the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, June 14, 2018. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)

Russia's Artyom Dzyuba, center, celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the group A match between Russia and Saudi Arabia which opens the 2018 soccer World Cup at the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, June 14, 2018. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Russia's Alexander Golovin, right, scores his side's fifth goal during the group A match between Russia and Saudi Arabia which opens the 2018 soccer World Cup at the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, June 14, 2018. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

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