Hosts Russia overpower Saudi Arabia 5-0 in their Group A match to start their World Cup campaign on a thunderous note.

They gave a good exhibition of themselves and toyed with the Saudi defence. Saudi on the other hand did not have even one shot on goal as the hosts went home with three points in the pocket.

Russia get the 5th in the 93rd minute with a direct free-kick, well executed pumping it over the wall and right in right top corner. 

As the match meanders to a finish, Saudi are caught napping again and Cheryshev scores his second for the evening. 

He pumps in an absolute scorcher in the added time. 

The super-sub scores! 

Dzyuba finds ample space, no marking and he heads in Russia's third goal in the 71st minute.

This could be curtains for Saudi. 

Wow the hosts are turning it on here.

Two minutes injury time added as Russia still putting Saudi under pressure.

After 47 minutes of intriguing football, the hosts go into the break with a commendable 2-0 lead over Saudi Arabia.

Russia keep the pressure and they double their lead just before half-time.

Cheryshev pumps the ball into the right corner in the 44th minute to record his first international goal. 

What a clean finish coming in from the left. 

PHOTOGRAPH: Carl Recine/Reuters

After 35 minutes, Russia dominating play and creating chances.

30th minute, Saudi have a free-kick but it counts for nothing.

Russia mounting the pressure on Saudi, going deep in the rival defence but unable to make those clinical moves inside the box.

Russia's defence has also been stoic not allowing Saudi to make the crucial forays.

The match is surprisingly pacy with the hosts still dominating play while Saudi defenders are kept on their toes. 

This could possibly mean the end of the tournament for him.

Russia up 1-0.

The Russians are finding the pace and moving forward here and they score the opening goal in the 11th minute.

Gazinski heads in his first international goal. 

Will this end their 5-match win-less streak?

IMAGE: Spain's iconic 'keeper Iker Casillas and model Natalia Vodianova show the World Cup trophy prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Group A match between Russia and Saudi Arabia at Luzhniki Stadium on Thursday 

It's kick-off time and we are under way here!

Early chance for Russia in the 3rd minute through but it's been played out safely by a Saudi defender.

Hosts Russia take on Saudi Arabia in the FIFA World Cup opener at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow after that amazing performance by Robbie Williams and Aida Garifullina.

This is the first time the World Cup will use VAR technology.

British pop star Robbie Williams kicks off the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Moscow with his 1998 debut hit 'Let me entertain you'. 

He follows Brazil great Ronaldo on to the pitch.

Russian soprano Aida Garifullina then makes her entry with her own song before Robbie croons 'Feel' as Russian performance artists put on a stunning show.

He then is joined by Garifullina as they sing a duet of Robbie's 'Angels' .

The former 'Take That' singer closes his gig with his smash hit 'Rock DJ'.