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Russia Coach Stanislav Cherchesov: Happy to entertain our supports in the World Cup

Russia defeated Egypt 3-1 despite Mo Salah'a maiden World Cup goal.

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Russia coach Stanislav Cherchesov hopes the best is yet to come for the World Cup hosts after they virtually sealed their place in the last 16 on Tuesday by easing past Egypt 3-1 despite Mohamed Salah's return.

An own goal by Egypt Captain Ahmed Fathi opened the floodgates on a sodden night in Saint Petersburg before goals from Denis Cheryshev and Artem Dzyuba bolstered Russian hopes they can defy pre-tournament expectations with a deep run into the latter stages.

Salah did net Egypt's first goal at a World Cup in 28 years from the penalty spot after he had been hauled down 17 minutes from time, but it was too little, too late for the Pharaohs.

 

Russia will be guaranteed a place in the last 16 and Egypt eliminated unless Saudi Arabia beat Uruguay on Wednesday.

"I hope there are many more to come," said Cherchesov when asked if he had enjoyed the best day of his life by almost certainly leading Russia into the knockout stages for the first time since 1986.

A run of seven games without a win leading into the tournament had dampened expectations in the host nation.

However, after smashing Saudi Arabia 5-0 in the opening game, Russia showed they are a force to contend with in the latter stages of the competition by blowing Egypt away with a three-goal salvo in 15 second-half minutes.
"We have made a step in the right direction," added Cherchesov when asked if Russia could now go onto win the World Cup.

And he claimed too much was made of poor friendly results in the past year when facing marquee opposition such as France, Spain, Brazil and Argentina.

"Everybody remembers our games from the past but people forget when you play against the teams we played against, you need to be prepared very well.

"We did our homework in the preparation and selection of the players. We are very happy to give this joy to our supporters."

 

Having got the bit of luck they needed, Russia showed they have the quality to trouble more fancied nations with a brilliantly worked second that was swept home by Cheryshev for his third goal of the World Cup from Mario Fernandes's cross.

Three minutes later it was 3-0 as the towering Dzyuba demonstrated quick feet to free himself inside the area before slotting low past a helpless Mohamed El-Shenawy.

The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system proved its worth for Egypt's consolation as referee Enrique Caceres had initially awarded a foul outside the box rather than a penalty.

Salah smashed the 10th penalty of the tournament into the roof of the net, but Egypt failed to muster a late fightback and their destiny now hangs on the Saudis shocking Uruguay.

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