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Russian fans, who before the FIFA World Cup Finals 2018 kicked off just hoped that their team would not embarrass them, are now celebrating at home and abroad.
In a thrilling tournament with plenty of upsets already, the host nation, sporting the lowest ranking of all the teams involved, are now through to the quarter-finals for the first time since the Soviet era.
Russians partied loudly in the centre of Moscow on Sunday night after their team beat hot favourites and former champions Spain.
Vagif Garaev, the ambassador of the Russian Federation in Bahrain, who was captured kicking a football around the embassy in Zinj, said: “First of all, I’d like to congratulate the Russian team on this historic victory!
“My colleagues in the embassy and I were so enthralled that we were glued to our seats and could not even walk away from the TVs throughout the entire game.
“No doubt we were all hoping that our team would win but most of the fans were convinced that the Spaniards had much more of a chance. Still, all our fans had hope that our guys would do their best to win and it happened!
“The final penalty save was a moment of triumph from our goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev. All in all, I would like to wish our team the best of luck and we are looking forward to seeing more victories for our team!”
Back home, Russia’s usually strict laws against unsanctioned public gatherings have been effectively suspended for World Cup celebrations, with Nikolskaya Street in central Moscow transformed into an around-the-clock space for fans to party.
“I’m proud to be Russian and I’m proud to be at this celebration,” said Nikolai, who didn’t give his surname. “I will tell my grandchildren and my children that I was here, that we beat Spain, and I’m proud of this. It will always be in my heart.”
There are calls in Moscow to make captain Akinfeev a formal ‘Hero of Russia’ and the suggestion appears to be gathering momentum around the globe.
In Bahrain, GulfWeekly’s official nominated Russia fan, Yaroslav Levin, attaché and head of the ambassador’s office, who before the tournament stated that he hoped his country would reach the final, was full of glee. “This is a triumph!” he said. “To be honest, before this game, I was not a great fan of football but this match has changed my attitude!
“Our guys are national heroes now and I’m looking forward to seeing more victories. In my opinion, our ’keeper is the goalkeeper of the century. Thank you Russia and, thank you, Akinfeev!”
