Host country Russia defeated Saudi Arabia 5-0 in a tough start for the Kingdom’s first World Cup bid in 12 years.
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman watched the match alongside of Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, and video images of the two leaders reacting to the match have gone viral on social media sites. Putin and Crown Prince Mohammed met before the match to discuss bi-lateral cooperation and energy markets.
The first goal of the tournament – and the start to Saudi Arabia’s troubles for the day, came on a 12th-minute cross by 22 year old Russian Aleksandr Golovin to Iury Gazinsky for his first international goal.
According to Reuters, Saudi Arabia coach Juan Antonio Pizzi described a “feeling of shame” after the match.
The Kingdom’s team will play Uruguay next, on June 20th, then Egypt on June 25.
