ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (AP) Russia’s dress rehearsal for the World Cup is over, and it looks comfortable in the spotlight.
When FIFA’s Gianni Infantino sat with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the opening game on June 17, the host nation was under a cloud – facing pressure over widespread doping in multiple, fan racism and a reported 17 deaths during construction of World Cup stadiums.
But by Sunday’s final, Germany’s champion team was giving glowing reviews. Captain Julian Draxler wrote an open letter to Russian fans saying: ”Russia passed the test with flying colors,” while coach Joachim Loew was also full of praise.