MOSCOW, June 14 -- Substitute Denis Cheryshev scored twice as Russia opened their World Cup campaign by romping to a 5-0 victory over Saudi Arabia here on Thursday.

Cheryshev scored either side of halftime while Artem Dzyuba, Iuri Gazinksy and Aleksandr Golovin were also on target in front of 78,000 fans at the Luzhniki Stadium.

The result marked Russia's first victory in football's showpiece event since a 2-0 win over Tunisia in Japan 16 years ago.

It took just 12 minutes for the hosts to open the scoring as Golovin's lofted cross found an unmarked Gazinsky, who headed past Abdullah Almuaiouf.

Fedor Smolov almost doubled Russia's lead shortly after when his scuffed shot forced a finger-tip save from Almuaiouf.

Russia suffered a blow in the 24th minute when midfielder Alan Dzagoev was forced off after a heavy knock and replaced by Cheryshev.

The hosts continued to dominate possession and on the few occasions that Saudi Arabia advanced beyond the halfway line they were quickly closed down.

Cheryshev, who was causing trouble for right-back Mohammed Alburayk, made it 2-0 on the stroke of halftime. The Villarreal winger ran onto a pass from Roman Zobnin before showing fancy footwork and thumping a shot past the Saudi goalkeeper.

Russia continued to press early in the second half but, after Alexander Samedov fired over from distance, Saudi Arabia enjoyed a rare period of possession and two half-chances to score.

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