Back by popular demand, the hosts return to action in Moscow. Russia were belittled before a ball had been kicked but look at them now. They will need to up the ante again if they are to bypass Spain to the quarter-finals, though, surely? “Spain have great players and if they are not the best team in the world then they are very close,” says Denis Cheryshev, the Villarreal midfielder. “Every single player has good and bad moments for us that’s not important, we are just focused on our team.”
As for their manager, Stanislav Cherchesov, he has raked back to school, when he would sit smarting at the back of class. “This is a life and death match, but there is no pressure, rather responsibility,” he says. “This is like an exam, what you write down your teacher will read it and check and you cannot change it. We will get a score.”
Related: Russia’s rising star Denis Cheryshev out to upset his adopted homeland | Shaun Walker
What next for Messi? What next for Ronaldo? “As captain, I am very proud of this group,” the Portuguese said. “I leave here happy. Not the way I wanted, but the sensations are good. We hold our heads up high; Portugal will continue winning.”
Related: Cristiano Ronaldo should play on for Portugal, coach urges after exit
Continue reading...