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 by easing past Egypt 3-1 despite Mohamed Salah's return on Tuesday.
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.
47' Russia 1-0 Egypt
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) June 19, 2018
59' Russia 2-0 Egypt
62' Russia 3-0 Egypt
The #WorldCup hosts are flying. pic.twitter.com/AjVGRuUNwi
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.
- The World Cup host Russia continued its blistering form, defeating Egypt 3-1, scoring 3 goals in 16 minutes https://t.co/kC4jRurdAM pic.twitter.com/GREoR0gl87
— The New York Times (@nytimes) June 19, 2018
"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.
FT #RUS 3-1 #EGY
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 19, 2018
Russia are almost through to the last 16, Egypt are almost out.
? @BBCOne
? @5liveSport
? https://t.co/ck9cleVtng#WorldCup #bbcworldcup #RUSEGY pic.twitter.com/jiBJm4bpRr
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.
With a 3-1 victory, Russia all but qualified for the round of 16, while Egypt is essentially knocked out of the World Cup https://t.co/4n9NuDpzCp
— The New York Times (@nytimes) June 19, 2018
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."
Russia moved to the brink of qualifying for the last 16 of the #WorldCup after they beat Egypt.
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 19, 2018
Read ? https://t.co/ipZ4pkPj0g #bbcworldcup pic.twitter.com/I6MU7KMuCv
