ONE cheeky mascot stole the show prior to Russia’s clash with Egypt after leaving the referee dazed and confused.

As the youngster led the two nations out for the Group A match, he pinched the ball away from the ref as he raced onto the pitch, reports The Sun.

The official was completely taken aback by the incident and had to take a moment to process what he had witnessed.

It is usually the referee who collects the ball ready for the match, but the mascot seized his chance — grinning at the camera as he took the ball off the stand.

The ref gave the little kid a menacing stare as the two walked off in different directions.

Cameras failed to show the aftermath of the hilarious incident, with the referee left stunned and somewhat angered.

One fan tweeted: “Mascot nicks ball, ref not happy.”

While another stated: “Ref is raging the wee guy took the ball.”

The young chap wasn’t the only mascot to leave fans in stitches, as supporters hailed the hair of the mascot for Senegal’s clash against Poland.