Putin congratulates Russia’s team on win over Spain

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MOSCOW, July 2, 2018 (BSS/TASS) – Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated the Russian national football team’s chief coach, Stanislav Cherchesov, on the win in Sunday’s World Cup Round of 16 match vs Spain.

According to Putin’s press secretary Dmitry Peskov, the president could not come to the stadium to support the team but followed it on television and twice called Cherchesov throughout the day.

“Like the entire country, Putin watched the game from the very beginning to the very end and supported the team,” Peskov said. “Before the match, at about noon, the president called the coach to wish success in the coming game.

He also noted that thanks to Chechresov the team has made the impossible making it to the playoffs. Putin also noted back then that regardless of the outcome of the match, no one would say anything bad about them.”

“Immediately after the game, Putin called Cherchesov again and congratulated the entire team on the impressing win and the coach, saying that his tactics have finally yielded the result,” the press secretary noted.

“Putin said that the most important thing in sport is the result and this result is our team’s win. The head of state wished Cherchesov and the entire team success in their next game.”

However, according to the Kremlin spokesman, the president will not be able to attend the next game because of his busy schedule. “But his schedule is no obstacle for the head of state to rejoice with the entire country,” Peskov added.

Vladimir Putin called King Felipe VI of Spain after a FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match between the two national teams. “The president commended the skills and high expertise of the Spanish team, noting however that this time the tactic opted for by Russian coaches has proved to be the only right one,” Peskov told journalists.

The Spanish King, he said, congratulated the Russian president on Team Russia’s win in today’s game and they advancing to the quarterfinals. “Vladimir Putin invited the Spanish King to visit Russia at any convenient time,” Peskov added.

Earlier on Sunday, Russia defeated Spain 4-3 on penalties after the match ended 1-1 after extra time and advanced to the quarterfinals, where they will face the winner in the Round of 16 match between Croatia and Denmark that is to be played later in the day in Nizhny Novgorod. The quarterfinals match will take place on July 7 at Sochi’s Fisht Stadium.