Spain vs. Russia
Luzniki Stadium, Moscow
Russian President Vladimir Putin, no less, listed Spain among his top contenders to win the World Cup, but how could he have known that Russia would be alive and kicking when the knockout round began?
He told China Media Group earlier this month that Spain has “played a beautiful brand of football” and also listed Argentina, Brazil and Germany (oops) as his top four picks to win the World Cup. “Sadly, our team has not enjoyed great results lately,” he said (via the Associated Press). “But we, all the fans and football lovers in Russia, have high hopes that our team will make a good showing, play a modern, interesting and beautiful style of football, and fight to the finish.