The first in history. The Russia vs. Saudi Arabia will not only be remembered as the first match of the 2018 World Cup, but also because it is the first World Cup that sees a substitute jump off the bench and score in an opening match. The player responsible for this record is the Villarreal player Denis Cheryshev.
The midfielder, and former Real Madrid player, entered the field at the 23rd minute of the first half, replacing Alan Dzagoev, who got injured, and at the 43rd minute, surprised with a brutal left-footed shot goal that left goalkeeper Al-Mayoof helpless, after passing the ball over two defenders from Saudi Arabia.
1 - Denis Cheryshev 🇷🇺 is the first substitute to score a goal in the opening match of a World Cup. History. #Rusia2018 pic.twitter.com/Fa6lf0C4jB
— OptaJavier (@OptaJavier) June 14, 2018
At the end of the first half, the host Russia defeated Saudi Arabia 2-0 in Group A, this Thursday, in the opening match of the 2018 World Cup.
Russian player Yuri Gazinsky scored the first goal of the World Cup at the 12th minute with a header, during a first half in which the home team dominated the game in Luzhniki Stadium.