Russia vs. New Zealand: Final score, 2-0, hosts open 2017 Confederations Cup with victory

There’s heavy pressure on Russia to perform at the Confederations Cup, and with a slew of dignitaries in attendance on Saturday, the home team delivered. New Zealand never put Russia under serious threat, with the hosts producing a convincing 2-0 victory in St. Petersburg.

New Zealand did force Igor Akinfeev into a couple of relatively easy early saves, but Russia took control of the match in the 31st minute. Dmitry Poloz set up the chance with a through ball to Denis Glushakov, who tried to chip All Whites goalkeeper Stefan Marinovic. He was successful, but he didn’t hit the ball hard enough to beat the entire defense and was forced to follow his shot. In the ensuing scramble, the ball hit Tommy Smith and bounced into the back of the net.

Russia was also unhappy they didn’t get a penalty before the end of the first half. Marinovic appeared to foul Poloz in the box, but the Russian embellished the contact considerably, and the referee gave nothing.

Marinovic kept New Zealand in the game with a brilliant double save in the 48th minute, denying Poloz on a long shot, then getting up fast enough to prevent Aleksandr Erokhin from scoring on the rebound. He made another excellent save on Poloz five minutes later, which was followed by Ryan Thomas making a sliding clearance to prevent another chance.

But Russia would eventually find a game-clinching second goal. Right back Alexander Samedov provided the assist with a square ball across the face of goal, and Fedor Smolov was in perfect position at the far post to poke it into the back of the net.

With two goals on the board, Russia’s midfield stopped taking risks and New Zealand struggled to create counterattacking chances. The hosts finished the game with 60 percent possession and 14 shots to New Zealand’s five.