OPENING DAY OF WORLD CUP 2018

Finally let loose after a year-long diet of international friendlies, hosts Russia roared their World Cup intent to the rafters on Thursday with a 5-0 tournament-opening win over Saudi Arabia.

World Cup - Group A - Russia vs Saudi Arabia : Russia's Denis Cheryshev celebrates scoring their second goal in Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, Russia. REUTERS

World Cup - Group A - Russia vs Saudi Arabia : Fans holding their drinks before the match in Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, Russia.REUTERS

World Cup - Group A - Russia vs Saudi Arabia: General view of a performer during the opening ceremony in Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, Russia. REUTERS

World Cup - Group A - Russia vs Saudi Arabia : Performers during the opening ceremony in Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, Russia. REUTERS

World Cup - Group A - Russia vs Saudi Arabia : General view during the opening ceremony in Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, Russia. REUTERS

World Cup - Group A - Russia vs Saudi Arabia: General view as Russia and Saudi Arabia players line up before the match in Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, Russia.

World Cup - Group A - Russia vs Saudi Arabia: Robbie Williams and Aida Garifullina perform during the opening ceremony in Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, Russia. REUTERS

World Cup - Group A - Russia vs Saudi Arabia : Russia fan before the match in Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, Russia. REUTERS

World Cup - Group A - Russia vs Saudi Arabia: Russia players pose for a team group photo before the match in Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, Russia. REUTERS

World Cup - Group A - Russia vs Saudi Arabia : Saudi Arabia players pose for a team group photo before the match in Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, Russia. REUTERS

World Cup - Group A - Russia vs Saudi Arabia : Saudi Arabia's Taisir Al-Jassim and Saudi Arabia's Abdullah Otayf in action with Russia's Fyodor Smolov in Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, Russia. REUTERS

World Cup - Group A - Russia vs Saudi Arabia : Russia's Yury Gazinsky celebrates scoring their first goal with team mates in Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, Russia. REUTERS