Denis Cheryshev may have made all the right headlines with his man of the match performance against Saudi Arabia, but one player who also impressed was Alexander Golovin.
The CSKA Moscow star was one of his country’s best players as they put the Asians to the sword, following a 5-0 thrashing.
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According to the wide forward, Russia will be playing each game like it’s “the last”, after an easy win in their opening game at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Speaking after the game, Golovin said; ” For us, every match is like the last.”
Golovin assisted Russia’s first and third goals, before grabbing one for himself in added time to help his nation get off to a remarkable start.
The evening began with a very colourful opening ceremony, but the Russians made their intentions known very early as Yury Gazinskiy gave them a 12th minute lead.
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The home side would lose Alan Zagoev to injury, with Cheryshev replacing him six minutes to the half-hour mark. However, that disappointment turned out to be a blessing in disguise as the former Real Madrid man went on to score a brace.
Cheryshev’s first arrived just before half time, with the second and Russia’s fourth, arriving in added time, after Artem Dzyuba’s 71st minute strike put them 3-0 up.
Golovin sealed the win with almost the last kick of the match to give the home side a brilliant start to the 21st edition of the World Cup.
Up next for Golovin and Russia is a rather tricky tie against six-time African champions, Egypt, on Tuesday.
