Hybrid Soccer

Russia easily defeated Saudi Arabia in the first World Cup game.

Despite celebrating the win, President Putin denied that a Russian team had even entered the stadium, where he said indigenous soccer players had spontaneously organized a team to face the Saudi team.

Putin did say that it is possible that Russian players may have taken leave from the official team to enter the stadium and help the local team in their game.

Rumors that the indigenous team members would get medals from Russia in a couple months when the excitement dies down were vigorously denied by a Kremlin spokesperson.

UPDATE: On the bright side, in authoritarian Russia there are probably no annoying vuvuzelas allowed.

UPDATE: On the other hand, it sure sounds like that vile instrument is present in Russia. So we have another example of "hybrid warfare," I suppose.