MOSCOW (AP) - Vladimir Putin craves sporting glory, and he got another taste of it in the opening match of the World Cup.
Putin and Russia get their 1st win at the World Cup
Russia ended a 16-year wait for victory in the tournament by routing Saudi Arabia 5-0 Thursday in Group A, with the Russian president watching from the VIP box alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino and the Saudi crown prince.
It was the host nation's first World Cup win since 2002, and it raises the hope that Russia can get past the group stage for the first time since the Soviet era.