First Port Vale fan ever to perform at a World Cup opening ceremony?

Robbie Williams, not Aida Garifullina.

Now it's Angels, I know this one. Aida Garifullina is singing it with him. That's nice.

Oh Robbie Williams is back again with *checks notes* Feel.

Russian soprano Aida Garifullina is now singing while riding some kind of dragon(?) - not a real dragon I should add. This isn't Game of Thrones.

I'm just thankful he isn't doing Rudebox, which became the dreadful soundtrack of a holiday I had to Lithuania years ago when my friend just wouldn't stop singing it.

He's wearing a maroon suit, similar colour to Russia's jersey. There's dancers and people in green costumes bouncing round with footballs on their heads.

Now here comes Robbie Williams, singing one of his few songs I know - although I still had to check what it's called.

Let Me Entertain You.

Brazil legend Ronaldo is bringing some kid in a Russia 2018 T-shirt out onto the pitch.

The opening ceremony is about to start.

Sergei Ignashevich is Russia’s oldest player to play for Russia or the USSR at a World Cup (38 years, 335 days), beating a record previously held by the legendary Lev Yashin (36 years, 279 days).

Speaking of Lev Yashin, look at this feature my colleagues did on Lev Yashin.

Oh no, I'd forgotten about VAR!

Saudi Arabia will play without fear when they look to upset hosts Russia in the opening game of the 2018 World Cup, says manager Juan Antonio Pizzi.

The two lowest ranked teams at the tournament meet in Group A at the Luzhniki Stadium and there is pressure on Russia to perform at their home World Cup but Pizzi said his side can silence the home fans.

"Our goal is to beat Russia. We are ready, we are not afraid.

"We are planning on being the protagonists and we will try to control Russia's virtues, which are many."

Russia have slipped to 70th in Fifa's rankings, three places lower than their opponents.

Saudi Arabia have not won a game at a World Cup since 1994 but former Chile boss Pizzi said his players are capable of making a winning start after qualifying for the first time since 2006.

Image source, Getty Images

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 live, Alan Shearer said: "My Russian isn't particularly strong, but every time I ask for a newspaper headline to be translated, it's always criticism of their players.

"We talk about 'doom and gloom' in the English media but the Russian players aren't being given a chance in this tournament, and they haven't even kicked a ball yet."

Image source, Getty Images

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A prominent Russian MP has been heavily criticised after urging women not to have sex with foreign men during the World Cup.

Communist Party MP Tamara Pletnyova told a Moscow Radio station that she was "not a nationalist" but believed Russian women should avoid sex with people "of a different race" because "their children suffer".

Read more here.

Image source, Getty Images

All of Saudi Arabia's players are based in their home country, although three did go on loan to Spanish clubs last season.

Fahad Al Muwallad, Yahya Al Shehri and Salem Al Dawsari were part of a group of nine Saudi players who went on loan - at no cost to the Spanish clubs - to La Liga and second division clubs.

However the trio made a combined 59 minutes of league appearances in four months - and the other six aren't in the squad.

Al Shehri and Al Dawsari start today.

Saudi Arabia coach Juan Antonio Pizzi faced a selection dilemma up front as Mohammed Al Sahlawi and Mohannad Aseri had both featured in the warm-up friendlies, but Al Sahlawi is the man who gets to start today.

Captain Osama Hawsawi will be making his 136th international appearance, while Taiseer Al Jassam is playing for Saudi Arabia for the 133rd time.

Image source, Fifa

Image source, .

Russia and Saudi Arabia are the lowest two ranked teams in the World Cup.

The hosts have not won in seven games, while the Saudis have won two of their last eight matches.