Alan Dzagoev injury: Russia star taken off in World Cup 2018 opening game vs Saudi Arabia

AP
Standard Sport14 June 2018

World Cup 2018 hosts Russia suffered an injury setback in the opening game of the tournament as Alan Dzagoev pulled up in the first half of their clash against Saudi Arabia.

With Russia one goal up at Luzhniki Stadium thanks to a Yury Gazinsky header after 11 minutes, Dzagoev was injured during a counter-attack around 13 minutes later.

The CSKA Moscow midfielder immediately clutched his left hamstring and hit the floor with nobody around him, and needed treatment before limping off the pitch to be replaced.

Dzagoev looked downcast as he exited the pitch, and will now be a doubt for the remainder of Russia's tournament.

In Pictures | Russia vs Saudi Arabia, World Cup | 14/06/2018

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The setback is the latest in a long line of problems to hit the hosts' squad, with forward Alexander Kokorin and central defenders Viktor Vasin and Georgy Dzhikiya ruled out with injuries before the tournament.

Ahead of the match, the 80,000 crowd at the Luzhniki Stadium were treated to an opening ceremony featuring Robbie Williams, while Russia president Vladimir Putin also addressed the fans before kick-off.

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