Russian Federation 2-0 New Zealand: Hosts win Confederations Cup Group A opener

New Zealand tried to play the ball out of defence but gave it away, and a couple of quick passes from Aleksandr Yerokhin and Poloz allowed Denis Glushakov to run through on goal.

World Champions Germany and the champions from FIFA's six confederations are competing in the two-week tournament that will allow Russian Federation to test its soccer infrastructure in four of the 11 cities hosting World Cup matches.

Arriving by helicopter close to $750 million new stadium in his native St. Petersburg barely 20 minutes before kickoff, Putin was soon installed in the main grandstand and made a speech to launch the tournament.

Russian Federation began their Confederations Cup campaign in ideal fashion with a 2-0 win over New Zealand on Saturday night.

After having two early chances cleared off the line, they took the lead when Michael Boxall scored an own goal after Denis Glushakov had struck the post.

Russia's win eases the pressure on winning its second game, against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal in Moscow on Wednesday.

The 68,000-seat St Petersburg stadium will be a flagship venue at the 2018 World Cup and the home of Russian soccer powerhouse Zenit, but its decade-long construction marred by corruption allegations and delays has so far caused more disappointment than satisfaction.

"First of all, let me express gratitude to [FIFA President] Gianni Infantino for being committed to the sport ideals and for helping in the preparations of this landmark event", Putin said at the opening ceremony of the cup.

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The European champions will open the Group A program on Sunday against Mexico in Kazan.

We are finally underway in Russian Federation.

Russia's victory showed it can win a big game at home, even if Putin is in the arena.

Shprygin, who was twice deported from France past year during Euro 2016, said he had been notified by organisers that his fan-ID, needed to attend matches, had been cancelled.

Some 191 fans have been put on a blacklist barring them from games and legislation introduced to toughen up punishments and deport foreign hooligans.

World Cup holders Germany and Australia complete the group.

"We're confident that the Confederations and World Cup in Russian Federation will be completely safe".