A brace of calamitous Kim Ju-young own-goals helped Russia to an entertaining 4-2 friendly win over Korea Republic in the 2018 FIFA World Cup host's first match since a disappointing FIFA Confederations Cup campaign.

Russia impressed few people on the pitch when it crashed out of the FIFA Confederations Cup at the group stage, but Stanislav Cherchesov's men looked more assertive and expressive in Moscow against Korea Republic, before easing off towards the end and allowing the visitors to steal a couple of consolation goals.

The visitors arguably played the better football in the first half, but the best chances fell to Russia, with Aleksandr Kokorin — back in the fold after an 11-month absence — guilty of firing over from 12 yards after being picked out by Fedor Smolov.

But Russia was not to be denied just before the break, as Smolov met Aleksandr Samedov's corner delivery with a strong headed finish.

Russia raced ahead early in the second half as Korea Republic proved to be its own worst enemy, with Kim nudging into his own goal from a corner before repeating the trick to minutes later, inadvertently prodding beyond Kim Seung-gyu from 20 yards when trying to cut out a pass.

Kwon Chang-hoon almost pulled one back 20 minutes from time when he was kept out by Igor Akinfeev after a lovely solo run, before Aleksey Miranchuk effectively finished them off with a nonchalant finish seven minutes from time.

Korea Republic did manage to restore a little pride in the final stages, as Kwon Kyung-won headed past Akinfeev and Ji Dong-won capped off a decent move, but Russia was already home and dry.