Denis Cheryshev’s brace help Russia thrash Saudi Arabia in FIFA 2018 World Cup

Hosts Russia were too good for their Asian counterparts in the first Match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup and went on to win the match 5-0.

Although there were a number of great performances by the Russia players Denis Cheryshev stole the show with two goals in either half for the home team. What makes the performance by the Villarreal winger even special is the fact that he didn’t start the game and only came on as a first half substitute for an injured Alan Dzagoev.

Cheryshev’s first came in the 43rd Collecting a pass from Roman Zobnin on the left of the box he showed great composure to nonchalantly flick the ball inches above two prone defenders desperately sliding in, before lashing into the roof of the net.

Russia’s dominance continued through the second half and Artem Dzyuba scored the third goal for the team. Just when one thought that the game was heading towards a tame end Denis Cheryshev popped up with what could be the goal of the game. Cheryshev cleverly steered home the fourth with the outside of his foot before Golovin capped a great personal performance by curling his free kick beyond the wall to get the month-long Moscow party well and truly started.

It was a surprise that Denis Cheryshev only started as a substitute and came on after an injury but his performance in the first match coupled with injury to Alan Dzagoev you wouldn’t put it past him to start more regularly in the rest of the matches for Russia in the World Cup.

It wouldn’t be much of a surprise as well if the former Real Madrid player went on to score and assist in many other goals.