TASS, Moscow :
Russian President Vladimir Putin presented the coaching staff and players of the national football team with state awards on Saturday.
The Russian team’s chief coach Stanislav Cherchesov was bestowed with the Alexander Nevsky Order, while the Order of Honor was awarded to goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev and central defender Sergey Ignashevich. Honorary certificates were also given to other players and coaches. This summer Russia hosted its first-ever FIFA World Cup, which kicked off in Moscow with a remarkable opening show at Luzhniki Stadium on the evening of June 14 and ended with a spectacular final match, played also at the Luzhniki Stadium, where France confidently defeated Croatia 4-2 to win the much-coveted World Cup Trophy.
The national football team of hosts Russia managed to make it to the quarterfinals stage of this world championship, where Croatia edged them out in a 4-3 penalty shootout win on July 7 at the Fisht Arena in Sochi. Earlier President praised the performance of the team and urged the players to “keep the fighting spirit” for the upcoming football events.
