Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, speaks before the Confederations Cup, Group A soccer match between Russia and New Zealand, at the St. Petersburg Stadium, in St. Petersburg, Russia, Saturday, June 17, 2017.
New Zealand, meanwhile, were finding it tough to hold maintain possession of the ball, which led to a lack of chances.
Smolov was named Budweiser Man of the Match, while New Zealand now have two unwanted Tournament of Champions records to their name, having gone 513 minutes without scoring in the competition and ten matches without winning. Michael Boxall got a touch on the ball and was credited with an own goal.
Russia's Denis Glushakov, top, chips the ball over New Zealand goalkeeper Stefan Marinovic to score the opening goal during the Confederations, Cup Group A soccer match between Russian Federation and New Zealand, at the St.Petersburg st.
The European champions will open the Group A program on Sunday against Mexico in Kazan.
Three of the previous nine tournaments have been won by the host nation.
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The eight-team Confederations Cup which runs until July 2 in St Petersburg, Moscow, Kazan and Sochi is being seen as a test for Russian Federation ahead of the 2018 World Cup.
Russia's opening goal had an ugly finish after two pretty pieces of individual skill once the All-Whites defense needlessly lost the ball.
Aleksandr Samedov's corner found Viktor Vasin, who saw his header hacked clear by Michael McGlinchey, then Tommy Smith was on hand to clear Dmitry Poloz's strong effort.
Russian Federation came so close again when Dmitry Poloz chested down a cross from right and stabbed his effort from six yards past Marinovic, only for Tommy Smith to get back on the line to clear.
"The fact the leader of the country came to the match is on the one hand an additional positive, but it is also an additional responsibility", Russian Federation manager Stanislav Cherchesov said. We played the match we have been planning for.
But Russia would eventually find a game-clinching second goal.
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