Free-flowing hosts

ST PETERSBURG, June 20 

If everything had gone to plan, several of the players who have guided Russia to the knockout stages might have been left at home to watch the tournament on television. The hosts defied expectations by winning their opening matches emphatically, trouncing Saudi Arabia 5-0 before beating Egypt 3-1 on Wednesday to top Group A. Russia reached the knockout rounds for the first time since the break up of the Soviet Union, having failed to progress in all three of their World Cup appearances since 1994.

It is a remarkable feat considering the spate of injuries that disrupted preparations, the low expectations of fans and the hostility from sections of the media in the run-up to the tournament.

Coach Stanislav Cherchesov, who took over in 2016, was widely criticised after his team’s early exit from last year’s Confederations Cup, and speculation mounted that he would be sacked. Yet the 54-year-old has proved to be as adaptable as he is tactically astute. — Reuters

2This is the first time Russia have won their opening two matches at a World Cup since 1966 (as the Soviet Union), when they reached the semifinals

8Russia’s haul of eight goals in their opening two games is the joint-highest for a host nation, level with Italy in 1934. Russia have scored more goals in this World Cup than they did in their two previous tournaments combined (6 goals)

3Mohamed Salah became the third player to score for Egypt at the World Cup, after Abdelrahman Fawzi (2 in 1934) and Magdy Abed El Ghani (1 in 1990)

350 Salah’s penalty came after a 350-minute goal drought for Egypt at the World Cup. Their last also came from a spot-kick, against the Netherlands in 1990, being scored by Abdelghani