World Cup 2018: 5 Major Takeaways from the Group Stage

#1 Russia are already winners

Russia have surprised everybody

Ask anyone from Russia and they would have said that their country would not have made it out of the group stage. That is even before the tournament began. The hosts had a poor run of matches leading to the World Cup that their fans simply had no hope.

But the back-to-back wins against Saudi Arabia and Egypt has completely changed the atmosphere in the country. The fans are happy with their team's performances so far and the locals believe they have already achieved more than they could have asked for no matter the outcome in their match in the Round of 16 against Spain.

This World Cup has surely put Russia in the limelight and has opened new doors of opportunity.