Lots of expectant eyes focus on the pitch as the ceremony prepares to get under way Photograph: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

The host nation’s fans could hardly have dreamt of a better start Photograph: Matthias Hangst/Getty Images

At half-time there’s no sign of a pie or a mug of Bovril as Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin, the Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman and other guests have a bite to eat. Photograph: Alexey Druzhinin/AFP/Getty Images

Fans cheer as the game – and tournament – gets underway Photograph: Felipe Dana/AP

Garifullina is joined by the 2018 World Cup mascot, Zabivaka, and legendary Brazilian footballer Ronaldo Photograph: Sergei Bobylev/TASS/Getty Images

Russian soprano Aida Garifullina enters the field on a giant bird and joins in. Photograph: Valery Sharifulin/TASS/Getty Images