Blood, sweat and beers: Russia down but proud after World Cup exit

Russia’s tournament is over after defeat by Croatia on penalties but admiration for a team who shattered all expectations survives

Before football comes home, it had to stop by the beach. Russia fans had one last chance on Sunday night to savour a squad that had already shattered all their expectations for this tournament. And they did it again in a bittersweet valedictory in Vladimir Putin’s dream city by the sea.

All the best stories are comings-of-age, and Russia seemed to grow with each match, teaching a sceptical public that it was OK to believe again, that they wouldn’t suddenly embarrass them, that this time things would be different.

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