After four long years, World Cup soccer has finally returned. Russia and Saudi Arabia kicked off the 2018 affair Thursday in Moscow, with the hometown Russians scratching first. Midfielder Yuri Gazinski connected on a header at the 11:32 mark, sending the friendly crowd into an early frenzy:
ESPN notes that the goal was Gazinski's first for Russia in international play, and that the Russians are 17-3-4 all-time at the World Cup when they scratch first. Up in the stands, Russian President Vladimir Putin offered a cordial handshake to Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman in response to his team's early lead.
Not sure who to bandwagon for the next four weeks? Read about five teams worth your World Cup fandom here at The Week.