Russia coach Cherchesov received phone call from Putin during post-match press conference

Cherchesov celebrates in front of Putin [Photo: Courtesy]

Russia manager Stanislav Cherchesov has been given the presidential seal of approval for leading his side to a 5-0 thrashing of Saudi Arabia in their opening World Cup game.

Cherchesov was interrupted halfway through his post-match press conference by a phone call from Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

Denis Cheryshev, who netted twice in the rout, was mid-way through an answer when Cherchesov quickly left the top table with a phone pinned to his ear.

On his return he revealed who was on the other end of the line, and what he had to say.

 “It was the head of state,” he said. “He asked me to share his thanks with the team for the performance that they put on and he asked me to keep playing like this.”

Putin made a speech before the opening game at the World Cup [Photo: Courtesy]

Putin had watched the match inside the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

And Putin could barely hide his smile as the goals racked up.

And neither could Cherchesov, with the former Soviet Union goalkeeper under huge pressure coming into the match at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium.

Putin phoned Cherchesov after the match [Photo: Courtesy]

Russia president Vladimir Putin (right) and FIFA president Gianni Infantino in the crowd [Photo: Courtesy]

A phlegmatic character, he said the win would not change his demeanour, results never do, but few in the room believed him.

Asked if there was a risk his players could get big-headed, the 54-year-old said: "I don't think there's a danger of that, we know why we're here.

Cherchesov salutes scorer Artem Dzyuba [Photo: Courtesy]

Denis Cheryshev of Russia celebrates victory with team mates [Photo: Courtesy]

"We went for a walk before the game and we talked about how this tournament is just the beginning. OK, we won 5-0 and we got three points but it could have been a draw and only a point - we would still have to get out of the group.

"We won our first game at (last summer's) Confederations Cup and it didn't take us too far. So we're on the right track but we should turn the page and forget this game."