We look at how the players fared at the end of the opening game Russia subjected Saudi Arabia to a 5-0 beat down in the opening game of the 2018 World Cup. This is how the players performed to that effect.RUSSIAIgor Akinfeev -8 The experienced goalkeeper was that leader at the back as he managed to hold his for and arrange the defenseMario Fernandes -6Fernades played his part at right back as he kept on initiating attack from the right side of defense from time to time.Ilya Kutepov -6He managed to keep his shape during the gameSergei Ignashevitch -6He had a great partnership with Kutepov at the backlineREAD ALSO:Russia vs Saudi Arabia in numbersYuri Zhirkov -7The veteran was industrious at right back as he was the go-to-man for dead ball situationsYuri Ganzunskiy -6The first goal in the 2018 World Cup had to be Yuri Ganzunskiy but had an average game after wardsAlan Dzagoev -4The key player had to suffer an injury 10 minutes into the game and needed to be yanked offRoman Zobnin -8 Zobnin happened to man that set off the pace and kept things going the middle of the parkAleksander Golovin -9 Golovin was outstanding throughout the game as he scored 1 goal and provided 2 assists. Golovin happened to madeAleksander SemedovHe happened to add his some ignition to the Russian attack but contributed the least to the winFeder SmolovThe striker was below par in this very game he will need to improve as he faces tough competition in Dzyuba Dennis Cherysev- 8.5The former Real Madrid star scored a brace after replacing Alan Dzagoev. Cherysev was electrifying as he came on and dazzled the crowd to make the headlinesArtem Dzyuba -6The striker came for 20 minutes but managed to get a goal was all over the place in the dying minutes of the gameREAD ALSO:Spain sack Lopetegui on the eve of the World CupDaler Kuzyaev -4He did came on just to add to the party and provided useful fresh legs to the scheme of thingsSAUDI ARABIAAl-Mayoof -4The keeper was not a safe pair of hands put up and atrocious performance leading to him conceding 5 goalsOsama Hawsawi-5Osama Hawsawi obiously put in his best but was not good enoughOmar Hawsawi -6Omar Hawsani was all over the place but could not see the light of dayMohammed Al-Burayk -5Al Buryak managed to put in a good shift as he made a few tackles but efforts proved futileYasir Al Shahrani -7He could pass as the best defensive player for the side on the day as he did get almost everything on point and it is a shame he willAl Faraj -4The midfielder was piss poor as he failed put up a good enough performance on the day.Al Shehri -3He could not put up a good shift as he was yanked off in the 74 minuteAteef-2Ateef was totally missing in the thick of things in this one.READ ALSO:Africans who did not vote for Morocco in the World Cup bidAl Jassam -5He managed to play full time and do his bit but that could not change muchAl Dawasari -6He had much of the ball but that could not translate into muchAl Sahlawi -4 The intended star of the show did not live up to billing as he was kept quiet by the Russian defenseBahebri-2He played 16 minutes of the game and had little effect on the gameAl Muwallad-2He had 26 minutes of sprints, few touches and nothing else Aseri-2He would relish that 5 minute sprint in his game.
