5 things to know about FIFA World Cup opening game - Russia vs Saudi Arabia

Among the 32 teams that will be competing at this year competition, the two nations, Russia and Saudi Arabia, in Group A are the teams with the lowest rankings. Russia is ranked 70 in the world while Saudi Arabia is three rankings above them at 67. They are the minnows coming into the Finals, but one shouldn’t underestimate them considering the talent they possess.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Russia and Saudi Arabia, in Group A are the teams with the lowest rankings
• Russia is ranked 70 in the world while Saudi Arabia is three rankings above them at 67
• hey are the minnows coming into the Finals, but one shouldn’t underestimate them considering the talent they possess

Double blast at World Cup - Anton Miranchuk & Aleksey Miranchuk is the only twin present at this edition of the tournament. Both play for Lokomotiv Moscow. They managed to turn around the club’s fortune by lifting the title as the young 22 year old twins were instrumental in the club’s success. The fans would hope that the Miranchuks do something similar for their national team as well at this year’s finals.

Among the qualified teams for the World Cup, interestingly the Saudi Arabian squad are the shortest with an average height of 176.2. The Russian squad on the other hand have an average height of 184.3. The Arabs would like to keep it short and sweet in Russia.

Russia’s claim to glory moment came in 1994 World Cup USA when Oleg Salenko, their striker made history by thumping in five goals against Cameroon thus becoming the first and only player to achieve such a feat in a world cup match.

No goalkeeper in World Cup history has conceded more goals than Mohamed Al-Deayea, who conceded 25 goals over four World Cups from 1994 to 2006.