Artem Dzyuba

FIFA World Cup 2018: Russia beaten by Croatia in quarters but hosts exit tournament with their heads held high

Russia turned out to be wonderful ambassadors of football in a country troubled by a widespread doping malaise stretching back years and nearly wrote a fairytale despite that stigma.

Highlights Russia vs Croatia, FIFA World Cup 2018, Quarter-final at Sochi: Croatia clinch tie in penalties

Croatia will fancy their chances against surprise package and hosts Russia when the two sides clash in the FIFA World Cup quarter-final. Follow our live blog for scores and updates from Russia.

FIFA World Cup 2018: Igor Akinfeev stars for Russia as host nation stun Spain on penalties to enter quarter-final

Spain controlled the game as expected but struggled to create genuine chances, with Akinfeev sharp on the few occasions they did before saving from Koke and Iago Aspas to seal a 4-3 win on penalties.

Highlights, Spain vs Russia, FIFA World Cup 2018, Round of 16 in Moscow: Russia clinch tie in penalties

Russia take on 2010 World Cup champions Spain for a place in the quarter-finals. Follow our live blog for scores and updates from Moscow.

FIFA World Cup 2018: Journeyman striker Artem Dzyuba says loss against Uruguay will make Russian team meaner

Artem Dzyuba has had a difficult journey over the course of his career, playing for a number of clubs and repeatedly being loaned out by managers who didn't have faith in him.

FIFA World Cup 2018: Buoyant Russia bully Egypt to silence doubters yet again, put one foot in knockouts

Russia's 3-1 victory over Egypt — their second in as many games — has all but sealed a Round of 16 spot for the hosts with the match against Uruguay on Monday likely to be of academic interest

FIFA World Cup 2018: Russia inch closer to Round of 16 as stunning second-half show floors Egypt

Three weeks and three days after Sergio Ramos twisted and slammed Egypt's best World Cup hope into the grass, Mohamed Salah returned. He won a penalty, and scored it, ripping the ball with his left foot into the top corner. But by then, Russia were already three up and this game was as good as gone.

FIFA World Cup 2018: Russia get the party going by decimating Saudi Arabia's defence in tournament opener

Sometimes direct football is the best modus operandi, especially for teams without earth-shattering talents in their ranks. Russia kept it simple and reaped the rewards, while Saudi Arabia committed schoolboy errors and paid the price.

'80 percent of you scratch your nuts' and other golden quotes from Euro 2016

From Zlatan calling himself a legend to hoping Puma doesn't make condoms, take a look at some of the best quotes from Euro 2016.

Euro 2016: Russia will be forgotten, not missed as another shambolic showing ends their campaign

Since its 3-0 victory over Lithuania in March, Russia has won only one and lost five of its eight matches. With the World Cup on its home turf only two years away, the national side is in disarray.