Russia in delirium with spot in last 8

The hosts are now just three victories from being the World Cup's ninth different winner

Fans like this Russian couple were on a high after their country's improbable World Cup round-of-16 penalty shoot-out win over Spain.
Fans like this Russian couple were on a high after their country's improbable World Cup round-of-16 penalty shoot-out win over Spain. ST PHOTO: DAVID LEE
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Beads of sweat trickled down their faces, as they sang and shouted until they were hoarse. But still they persisted, banging their fists against the train walls, jumping up and down until the entire carriage shook.

One of them then began exchanging friendly headbutts with another Russian who had appeared from nowhere in ice-hockey gear, much to the amusement of other mobile-phone-wielding passengers.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on July 03, 2018, with the headline Russia in delirium with spot in last 8. Subscribe