Russia's president was in the new stadium in his native St. Petersburg to see forward Fyodor Smolov's 69th minute goal add to an own goal by New Zealand defender Michael Boxall in the 31st.
Participants in the 2017 Confederations Cup are hosts Russian Federation, 2014 FIFA World Cup winners Germany, 2015 Copa America champions Chile, 2015 AFC Asian Cup champions Australia, 2015 Concacaf Gold Cup winners Mexico, 2016 UEFA Euro Cup champs Portugal, OFC (Oceania Football Confederation) Nations Cup victors New Zealand and 2017 CAF Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) champions Cameroon. This one was similar to many others; not very good.
Putin had also asked Russia's players to perform like warriors, though they hardly needed to be war-like in dispatching No. 95 New Zealand, which seemed to find the world stage too big. "Let's be honest: the European leagues are better and stronger, and if players are playing on a higher level it means we are better prepared for the national team", he said.
It was the ideal start for the Russians in a game played at the new Krestovsky Stadium, where President Vladimir Putin and Federation Internationale de Football Association chief Gianni Infantino both gave speeches before kick-off.
The hosts now take on Portugal on Wednesday after Fernando Santos' men have played Mexico in their Group A opener.
The Spartak Moscow midfielder lifted the ball over Marinovic and saw his effort hit the post before Boxall, one of two defenders desperately scrambling back to try to clear, helped it over the line.
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Russian Federation took the lead on 31 minutes after New Zealand lost possession in their own half.
A free header from Poloz prompted an acrobatic double save from Marinovic early in the second half and when, a few moments later, the striker's curled effort was saved once more, Ryan Thomas was forced to clear with Smolov prowling close behind.
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.
The New Zealand keeper made another great stop from Poloz after a swift Russian Federation counter-attack, while Samedov curled over from a free-kick as Russian Federation looked to put the result beyond doubt.
"We are slightly deflated, but we were playing a very, very strong Russian Federation team".
"I believe we will have the same team as we did in this game against Portugal".
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