The World Cup has its first excellent goal,
with the help of some woeful defending

By Thom Gibbs

Matthias Hangst/Getty Images

In the 44th minute of the World Cup's opening game between Russia and Saudi Arabia the ball was worked to Denis Cheryshev in the box.

It was a poor pass; two Saudi defenders looked certain to see away the danger.

AP Photo/Darko Bandic

They had not accounted for Cheryshev's skill.

The midfielder saw the urgent advances of his opponents and calmly took the ball under control.

The defenders, wholly committed and sliding in at pace, were left stranded.

Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Cheryshev, on as a sub after an injury to Alan Dzagoev, still had work to do.

He neatly brought the rising ball under control with the outside of his left foot, and eased into the space vacated by the forlorn Saudi defenders.

Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images

Now with time to size up a shot, Cheryshev pulled back his foot and slammed a pleasingly fierce shot past the goalkeeper and high into the net at his near post.

AP Photo/Darko Bandic

The goal, which gave hosts Russia a 2-0 lead in their first game at the tournament, was the first ever scored by a substitute in the opening match of a World Cup.

Cheryshev capped his night with a stunning second goal in injury time.