Russia vs. Saudi Arabia | Fans watched the first match of Russia 2018 in Plaza de Armas
Thousands of people around the world found out who Yuri Gazinski is after scoring the first goal of the 2018 Russia World Cup. After heading a cross from Aleksandr Golovin in the 12th minute of the Russia-Saudi Arabia match, the midfielder scored the first goal of this World Cup by defeating goalkeeper Abdullah Al Maiouf.
The 28-year-old midfielder, born in Khabarovsk Krai in 1989, currently plays for Krasnodar in the Russian league and played 34 matches for his club in all competitions last season. He only had the opportunity to score twice and, coincidentally, one of them was against CSKA Moscow, where Igor Akinfeev, the starting goalkeeper of the Russian National Team, plays.
Before joining Krasnodar in 2013, Yuri Gazinski made his professional debut in 2010 for Luch-Energyia in the Russian Second Division. He was there until 2012, when he joined Torpedo Moscow and later signed for his current team, with which he played in the last edition of the Europa League.
Furthermore, the midfielder scored his first goal for his national team in just his seventh match wearing the team's jersey. He made his official debut on August 31, 2016, in a friendly match against Turkey that ended in a goalless draw.
With a powerful header, Yuri Gazinski was able to open the scoring in the Russia vs. Saudi Arabia match, unleashing joy in all the stands of the Luzhniki Stadium.