Russian players celebrate a goal against Saudi Arabia. (Photo: Reuters)

The Russians served up an adrenaline-fuelled performance for an 80,000-capacity Luzhniki crowd which included President Vladimir Putin and the Saudi crown prince.

The Saudis, ranked three places above Russia at 67 in the world rankings, played some nice, tight football at times, but were never able to match the Russian hosts for energy or intent.

Luzhniki exploded into raptures after only 12 minutes when Yury Gazinsky headed home for the opener. Better still, with Russians looking for the early shoots of a footballing Renaissance in a side cramped by a financially rich but poor quality domestic league, the cross that set up the tournament's opening goal came from CSKA Moscow's 22-year-old Aleksandr Golovin.

His potential move to Juventus stirred excitement at home this week after years in which Europe's best clubs have lost almost all interest in Russian talent.

Denis Cheryshev showed great skill of his own to double the hosts' lead just before half time with a left-footed piledriver, and Artem Dzyuba headed Russia's third in the 71st minute - 89 seconds after coming on as a substitute.

Cheryshev and Golovin hit a further two in injury time, the latter from a free kick, to complete the visitors' misery.

Related Topics

550 athletes compete at the 2025 Hoa Binh Open ASUDO Karate Championship

Traditional games thrive at Muong Festivals in Hoa Binh

85 players compete at Hoa Binh province Youth Table Tennis Tournament

Over 2,000 runners join Olympic Run Day for public health

---

Awarding 30 sets of medals at the 2025 Provincial Youth Championship of Crossbow Shooting, Tug-of-War, and Stich Pushing

In 2 days, March 1-2, 2025, at the Provincial Gymnasium, the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism organized the 2025 Provincial Youth Championship of Crossbow Shooting, Tug-of-War, and Stich Pushing. This annual event is hosted by the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.

Hoa Binh hosts 2025 national karate dan promotion exam

On February 23, the Hoa Binh Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, in collaboration with the General Department of Sports and Physical Training’s karate division and the provincial Karate federation, organised the 2025 national karate dan promotion exam at the provincial sports arena. The exam covered the first (Shodan), second (Nidan), and third (Sandan) dan levels, with no fourth (Yondan) or fifth (Godan) dan tests this year.

Vibrant sports activities mark spring festival in Hoa Binh

In the early days of the Year of the Snake, Hoa Binh province is filled with a lively and joyful atmosphere as various sports exchange and competition activities take place. These events have become a cherished tradition among local ethnic communities, strengthening their solidarity and fostering their close bonds. They contribute to the robust development of grassroots sports movements, enhancing the cultural and spiritual life of the people.

The 1st expanded Hoa Binh provincial Health sector Pickleball tournament

The Hoa Binh provincial Health sector trade union organized the 1st expanded Hoa Binh provincial Health sector Pickleball tournament in 2025.

Hoa Binh City crossbow shooting, tug of war, and stick pushing tournament

At the Hoa Binh provincial sports arena, the Organizing Committee of the 8th Hoa Binh City Sports Festival 2025 held youth and championship crossbow shooting, tug of war, and stick pushing tournaments.

The Sports Competition of the Cluster of Judicial Departments and Civil Judgment

Enforcement Departments of 7 Provinces in the Northeastern and Mountainous Regions On February 19th, at the Hoa Binh Province Sports Hall, the Cluster of Judicial Departments and Civil Judgment Enforcement Departments of 7 provinces in the Northeastern and Mountainous regions, including Hoa Binh, Thai Nguyen, Tuyen Quang, Bac Kan, Yen Bai, Bac Giang and Phu Tho organized a friendly sports competition. A total of 52 athletes from the provinces in the cluster participated in the competition.