Observations From Russia: Great Goals and Joy For The Hosts

Observations From Russia: Great Goals and Joy For The Hosts
08:37, 09 Jul 2018

After a tournament full of twists and turns, and shocks and revelations, the 2018 World Cup is coming to an end. But not before what football fans across the globe hope will be a fitting finale.

Russia prepares for its showcase at the Luzhniki Stadium, the Moscow final which will see one of Belgium or France, and England or Croatia take to the stage in search of international football’s biggest prize.

Sportsman reporter James Nalton has been in Russia during the tournament, and here recalls some of the footballing highlights, as well as a few observations from the host country in what was a memorable World Cup.

The Russian Team

A World Cup is more enjoyable when the hosts are able to make an impact. This is especially the case when said country is something of an underdog, and this was definitely the case for this Russian side.

Prior to the tournament, they were considered the worst of the bunch according to FIFA's rankings, but they couldn’t have wished for a better start, defeating Saudi Arabia 5-0. Vladimir Putin looked on from the stands as if he never had any doubts that the players would make their country proud.

They went on to defeat Egypt before falling to the impressive, stubborn Uruguayans, but by that time qualification for the knockout stages was already assured.

This will have been more than enough to ensure national pride, and Stanislav Cherchesov’s team exceeded expectations with the manner of their play, as well as the results themselves.

A last 16 tie against favourites Spain would be a nice way to bow out, but it was to be more than that as they caused one of the biggest upsets in a tournament full of them.

They then pushed Croatia all the way to a penalty shootout, but couldn’t repeat their heroics against Spain from the spot.

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Great Goals

There have been outstanding goals scored in many of the games at the World Cup, and it will be difficult to choose the tournament’s best. At the rate they’re coming, the best may yet arrive in the semi-finals or final.

Denis Cheryshev’s four goals for the hosts contain three which will be in contention come the end of the tournament, and his effort against Croatia gave Russia a glimmer of hope that they could even reach the semi-finals.

Watching an impressive goal live in the stadium always gives it an extra sense of wonder, and I was lucky enough to see a few wonder-strikes first hand at this tournament. 

Dries Mertens’ goal against Panama in Sochi was the first to catch the eye, but Ahmed Musa’s brace for Nigeria against Iceland in Volgograd surpassed it.

His first was an excellent first touch from Victor Moses cross followed by an even better second to break down the stubborn Iceland defence. The second was all his own work as he traversed across the pitch from the right wing, eventually sticking the ball past Hannes Halldorsson from the centre of the area.

Goals can be judged in a number of different ways, but Musa’s somehow seemed to be the most joyful, though he has plenty of competition when it comes to deciding the tournament’s best.

These games have been enjoyed across the world, and their punctuation with some superb strikes has made the tournament all the more memorable.

A Smooth Landing for Russia Fans

A round of applause for a plane landing is usually reserved for over-excited holiday-makers on their way to soak up some sun, sea, and alcohol; not for a local flight in Russia between Adler and Rostov-on-Don.

But on this occasion the plane landing just happened to coincide with the return of a mobile phone signal, and the news filtering through that Russia had defeated Egypt by three goals to one.

The score was 0-0 as Russia supporters waited right until the last minute before boarding their flight, making sure they caught as much as they could of the first half.

With the game still in the balance as the plane took off, requests to put mobile devices into flight mode were ignored in search of information.

The wheels hit the ground, a select few mobile signals returned, news filtered through the cabin and celebrations ensued with the fasten seatbelts sign lit but powerless to stop them.

The jubilation after the hour long flight continued from the moment the news filtered through, and into the airport.

Had they actually scored three goals? 

Are we sure it’s Russia 3 and not Egypt 3?

Some couldn’t believe it, and indeed, Russia’s performance at this World Cup has been unbelievable, helping make it one of the most enjoyable in recent memory.

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