Goals from Yuri Gazinsky, Denis Cheryshev (2), Artem Dzyuba and Aleksandr Golovin sealed the win.
There were long periods of the game where the quality was dubious but Russia thoroughly deserved their win in what was a largely dominant display.
There are three matches today and there’s no doubt which one is likely to pique the interest of City fans.
Today’s Fixtures:
Egypt v Uruguay 1pm on BBC
Morocco v Iran 4pm on ITV
Portugal v Spain 7pm on BBC
READ: 2018-19 fixtures announced
READ: Talking Points | City’s PL fixtures
Bernardo Silva’s Portugal take on David Silva’s Spain in Sochi this evening in what is, on paper, the best game of the group stage.
Portugal, who possess a squad full of quality, are looking to become only the fourth nation to win back-to-back European Championship and World Cup tournaments.
Bernardo, likely to start on the right, enjoyed a superb second-half of the season for City and he is one the key men for Fernando Santos’ side.
Silva is looking to win his 118th cap for Spain, who parted company with manager Julen Lopetegui on the eve of the tournament after he agreed to become Real Madrid boss without the knowledge of the Spanish Football Federation. He has been replaced by Fernando Hierro.
Silva currently sits fourth on the list of Spain’s all-time leading goalscorers with 35, three short of Fernando Torres in third.
It should be a sensational game and UK viewers can watch all the action on the BBC.
Before that, Egypt face Uruguay at 1pm in Yekaterinburg. That game will also be shown live on the BBC.
And Morocco take on Iran in St Petersburg at 4pm, with live coverage on ITV.
Stay tuned to mancity.com throughout the tournament of the latest on all our players out in Russia.
