New Zealand did force Igor Akinfeev into a couple of relatively easy early saves, but Russian Federation took control of the match in the 31st minute.
Ronaldo scored twice and set up Silva's goal in the team's 3-0 win at Latvia in European World Cup qualifying last week, the team's last match before Sunday's Group A opener against Mexico at Kazan Arena.
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (AP) - What Vladimir Putin wants, Vladimir Putin tends to get.
The 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup has kicked off in the iconic Russian city of St. Petersburg, with a ceremony showing off folk and contemporary Russian culture.
New Zealand nearly clawed themselves back in the game twice - first Ryan Thomas had a brilliant effort saved by Igor Akinfeev and then Tommy Smith had a powerful header cleared off the line by Yuri Zhirkov.
But New Zealand's resistence was eventually broken 20 minutes from the end, when Fedor Smolov tapped in Alexander Samedov's low cross from the right to put the result beyond doubt and give Russian Federation an ideal start to the tournament.
Arriving by helicopter close to the stadium barely 20 minutes before kickoff, he was soon installed in the main grandstand making a speech to launch the tournament.
Having played his last test match on June 9 against the Chilean team, the Russian team as a whole looked good.
Ten minutes before kickoff, both teams lined up in front of the main stand to listen speeches by Putin and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
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A loss to Whitelock, Owen Franks, Israel Dagg and Co would only increase the pressure building on Gatland and the Lions .
A bombing in the St. Petersburg metro that left 16 dead in April has also triggered fears that a similar attack could hit Russian Federation during the tournament.
"I don't know how it was to play on, but judging by the game it seemed the quality (of the pitch) was rather good".
St. Petersburg's Hermitage Museum on Thursday unveiled Achilles, a white moggy who will be offered two different plates before each game to predict the Confederations Cup results.
Boxall once again made a mess of his attempted clearance and Smolov stabbed the ball into an open net at the far post to seal the three points. And we will go into the next game with the same mindset.
Russia's coach suggested it was an advantage to have such a pep talk.
"The fact the leader of the country came to the match is on the one hand an additional positive, but it is also an additional responsibility", Cherchesov, whose team face Portugal, Wednesday, told reporters.
Ronaldo will be able to focus his fans' minds on playing after widespread suggestions this week he wants to leave Real Madrid and Spain, where his tax affairs are under investigation.
"I find it's easy for other people who don't have the same skin color as me to say that we should stay quiet", Ruediger said.
But Russia did increase their lead with just over 20 minutes left, Smolov finding Samedov on the right and then arriving unmarked in the box to convert his team-mate's cross.
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