Russia thrashed Saudi Arabia 5-0 in the opening game of the 2018 FIFA World Cup on Thursday and are currently the Group A leaders.

"The boys played the first game. The second one - and the main one - is yet to come... The head coach [of the Russian team] was 'bullied' before the [opening] match?... I cannot confirm that. We are looking at millions of people who support the team. We have the best players here... Everyone has seen that the team does care. The players understand their responsibility," Mutko told journalists.

Russia's first-ever World Cup kicked off on Thursday and will continue until July 15, with the matches set to be held in 11 Russian cities.

The hosts will play their next Group A match against Egypt in St. Petersburg on Tuesday.