Russia is doing a great job!

Although the FIFA ranking of Russia is the 70th, they got through the Group Stage.
It worked out as planned, didn't it?

In the FIFA World Cup, the host nation must advance to the Knockout Stage. Otherwise, the event would be considered as failure. In fact, there hasn't been a host nation which wasn't able to get through the Group Stage.
The draw is always fixed. The Group A this time was quite easy group.

It's true for the 2002 World Cup Korea / Japan.
Japan was in a easy group and able to advance to the Knockout Stage.


So, I wasn't surprised that Russia won the Group Stage.
However...

Russia defeated Spain in the Knockout Stage!!
1 - 1 and Russia won on PK 4 - 3.

The most significant scene, if you ask me, was this;

(frm: https://www.asahi.com)

Russia's Goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev saved Spain's 5th shot on PK.
He jumped to the right, but the kicker shot to the middle. Oops! However, although his body was already on the right side, he saved the shot with his left foot. Amazing!!

He was chosen as Man of the Match.