FIFA World Cup 2018: Hosts Russia overcome odds to reach round of 16

Chennai: Hosts Russia, the lowest ranked team at the 2018 World Cup, stormed into the round of 16 after beating Mo Salah’s Egypt 3-1 in St Petersburg on Tuesday. After the break-up of the USSR in 1991, Russia have got out of the group stage in the World Cup for the first time. The transformation of Russia from an embarrassment into an enchanting team is complete after two matches and eight goals.

Uruguay also qualified to the next stage from the same group following a 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia on Wednesday. The meeting of Russia and Uruguay on Monday will determine the pool winners.

Having not posted a win in seven matches in the run-up to the World Cup, Russia entered the showpiece with trepidation. The threat of becoming the second hosts after South Africa in 2010 to fall at the first hurdle was real for Stanislav Cherchesov’s team.

But the euphoria of being hosts to the biggest party in sports and fantastic performance on the field have worked wonders. Cherchesov has also been transformed from being a clueless coach to a man with the Midas touch.

Denis Cheryshev and Artem Dzyuba have emerged Russia’s unlikely heroes. Neither was Cherchesov’s first choice ahead of the World Cup. An injury to the talismanic Alan Dzagoev midway through the first half of the Saudi match paved the way for Cheryshev’s entry and the left-winger grabbed the chance with both hands by scoring two superb goals in a 5-0 win.

He was at it again, slotting home Russia’s second goal against Egypt. Also coming on as a substitute against Saudi Arabia, Dzyuba justified Cherchesov’s faith in him by immediately finding the target. Like Cheryshev, he started the Egypt match on Tuesday.

Like Cheryshev, he blasted a goal again. Having scored five of Russia’s eight goals so far, the duo have proved that grabbing opportunities is crucial in football, as in life.