Al-Amin

We have been in Russia for the last 24 days and have already travelled to five cities. Unfortunately, we could muster very few Russian words, being limited to da (yes), nieth (no) and pasiva (thank you). One Bangladeshi expat, who has been living in Russia since 1996, told us that it's not a tough language to understand 'if you have the understanding of Sanskrit'.

Is it about time for Brazil to really think that they have got the best chance to win a record-extending sixth Word Cup title in Russia?

Like many other cities in Russia, Samara has a rich history and two of its most historical places have attracted the travelling World Cup fans in droves.

Brazil took a firm step onto the World Cup quarterfinals when they beat Mexico 2-0 at the Samara Arena yesterday.

The round of 16 match between Mexico and Brazil yesterday was a really entertaining one but more importantly, Mexico managed to stretch the five-time champions. However, the most impressive thing for the Selecaos was that they withstood some intense pressure to win the game 2-0 and make the quarterfinals.

Brazil will look to start from where they had left off against Serbia when they take on a feisty Mexico in a World Cup round of 16 fixture at the Samara Arena today.

The departure of Lionel Messi and his Argentina side from the World Cup on Saturday following a 4-3 defeat against France was perhaps something that the Albiceleste fans had not seen coming or refused to accept.

It was an amazing scene at the Samara Arena's make-shift press centre moments after Russia won their round of 16 World Cup match against Spain on penalties. The whole facility erupted, with a few Russian journalists running for joy and volunteers embarking on emotional hug.

A superstar in the making sent a superstar out of the World Cup as France prevailed over Argentina 4-3 in the first blockbuster World Cup round of 16 game at the Kazan Arena yesterday.

Before the start of the game or even a few hours earlier, it were the Argentina fans who were making all the noise, on the streets, in the bus, in the train and on their way to the Kazan Arena. They sang a popular song which means – Argentina is the best team in the world, its supporters are the best in the world and they have got the best players in Messi and Maradona.

When we reached Kazan Central Railway Station yesterday after a 13-hour journey from Moscow, it was five in the morning. The city was still sleeping and the first impression we got as we headed towards the city after one-and-a-half hour ride was that we were at a place far away from all the hustle and bustle.

The World Cup is going to get cruel from today when Argentina take on France in the first of the eight round of 16 games at the Kazan Arena.

The makeshift media centre inside the vast Spartak Stadium could barely accommodate the huge influx of travelling journalists ahead of Brazil's Group E fixture against Serbia in the World Cup on Wednesday. With a capacity of just over 500, by all means it registers as a standard media centre with all the required facilities.

I have had the opportunity to attend three press briefings by Brazil coach Adenor Leonardo Bacchi. At every single

They were one of the three suspect heavyweights going into the final matchday of the group stages, but five-time champions Brazil moved to the round of 16 with flying colours, defeating Serbia 2-0 at the Spartak Stadium in Moscow yesterday.

If you are in a football World Cup you will have to always be ready to hit the road. Lighter luggage and fleet-footed flexibility are considered advantages, if you are a fan or a travelling reporter.

Gabriel Jesus started for Brazil in the first two World Cup games against Switzerland and Costa Rica but the 21-year-old Manchester City

When Argentina were gearing up for their do-or-die game against Nigeria, their fans were seen busy at the counters of Saint Petersburg's central rail station.

Argentina went through to the last 16 of the 2018 Fifa World Cup by overcoming Nigeria 2-1 in a nerve-wracking tussle at the Saint Petersburg Stadium last night.

They were seamless in the last two World Cups, winning five of their six group games and were hardly troubled in making it to the knockout phase. But the two-time World Cup winners and the 2014 runners-up are facing the biggest crisis in their football history in Russia 2018.