The day has arrived…
World Cup 2018 is officially underway in Russia and the hosts got off to a winning start with a cool 5-0 win over Saudi Arabia in the opening game.
Russia made light work of the fixture and the result was surely to their esteemed leader Vladimir Putin’s taste as he called the head coach Stanislav Cherchesov midway through his post-match press conference to congratulate him on a super win.
Putin enjoyed the game from his private box alongside Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman who were friendly in the early part of the game, not so much at the latter end of it.
Good thing Ronnie Whelan knew the story…
Ronnie Whelan just described Vladimir Putin and the Saudi Crown Prince as “the prawn sandwich brigade”. I’ve never been prouder to be Irish. #WorldCup
— Richard Chambers? (@newschambers) June 14, 2018
Putin was caught smugly shaking hands with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman after Russia scored the first of three goals against Saudi Arabia.
The reaction after the first goal…
Salman of Saudi Arabia, FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Vladimir Putin show us how to do a three-way handshake.#OptusSport #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/IYgR9wzXRe
— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) June 14, 2018
This is a new meme waiting to happen.
Prince Salman: Which kain rubbish my team dey play ??
Putin: ??♂️
Infantino: ??♂️#WorldCup pic.twitter.com/YDrI3zvy0H
— Okafor Uchenna ?? (@Uchekush_) June 14, 2018
This tweet probably didn’t go down well in Russia…
Just want someone to look at me the way Mohmmad bin Salman looks at Putin pic.twitter.com/CDjspVET0A
— Hamza (@HmzLdn) June 14, 2018
Prince Salman: Can i buy a goal for my team?
Infantino: Sorry, not possible!
Putin: I can't stop them from scoring, might be their only chance!#RUSKSA #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/JhLvVue7ZX— ED (@eddbas) June 14, 2018
Thing began to get tense as the goals flew in…
Aaah the body language of #MohammadBinSalman and #Putin
after 3rd goal of #Russia ???#Worldcup2018Russia pic.twitter.com/8X12YkZvAI— Shama Junejo (@ShamaJunejo) June 14, 2018
The fifth goal spelled the end for any kind of niceties…
Putin and MBS after 5th Goal ? pic.twitter.com/xNiFPbDdtG
— Shama Junejo (@ShamaJunejo) June 14, 2018
Are you not entertained?
#WorldCupRussia2018 5-0 Putin is not impressed pic.twitter.com/4xf5DlZguj
— Marta María (@MartaMariaFCB) June 14, 2018