FIFA World Cup 2018: A Russian journey through pictures

British pop star Robbie Williams performed during the opening ceremony.

Russian fans rocked the stadium when their players went head to head with Saudi Arabia.

Iury Gazinsky scored the first goal of 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick and helped Portugal to a 3-3 draw against Spain.

Lionel Messi’s effect was shunned by Iceland in their first ever FIFA World Cup game.

Fans of Mexico were in full show ahead of their team’s game against defending champions, Germany.

Mexico’s Hirving Lozano scored the only goal against Germany, handing the defending champions a disappointing start.

Sluggish Brazil were held to a 1-1 draw by Switzerland. And well, there’s Neymar.

An early red card and Colombia slumped to a 2-1 defeat against Japan in their first World Cup game.

Mohamed Salah couldn’t guide his beloved Egypt to a win over hosts Russia.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s only goal helped Portugal to a 1-0 win over Morocco.

VAR was used for the first time in FIFA World Cup when France locked horns with Australia. The former were awarded a penalty which Antoine Griezmann converted.

Croatia humiliated Argentina, putting past three goals while conceding none.

Toni Kroos scored a last minute winner against Sweden as Germany survived yet another scar.

The home support of Russia was stunned as their team slumped to a 3-0 defeat against Uruguay.

Marcos Rojo scored a last-minute winner as Argentina defeated Nigeria 2-1.

Germany’s Manuel Neuer was at fault as South Korea dumped the defending champions out of the FIFA World Cup with a 2-0 win.

A Colombian fan celebrating his team’s victory over Senegal.

Senegal, despite Japan losing to Poland, became the first team to get knocked out of the FIFA World Cup on the basis of fair play.

France’s very own Kylian Mbappe performed out of his skin as his team dumped last World Cup’s finalist, Argentina out of the tournament in the round of 16.

Cristiano Ronaldo’ Portugal became the second team to get knocked out of the 2018 FIFA World Cup after a 2-1 defeat to Uruguay.

Russia dumped 2010 World Cup winners Spain out with a 4-3 win on penalties.

Not the World Cup Iniesta had hoped for. Such a sad sight to witness.

Japan stunned Belgium with 2 back to back goals, but the Red Devils bounced back with a 3-2 win.

England progressed through the quarter-final with a 4-3 penalty win over Colombia.

Belgium scored two early goals as the Red Devils dumped Brazil out of the FIFA World Cup.

A Brazilian fan reacts to his side’s 2-1 defeat to Belgium in the quarter-final.

Hosts Russia were dumped out of the FIFA World Cup by Croatia on penalties.

Samuel Umtiti’s goal against Belgium was enough to guide France to their first World Cup final since 2006.

Croatia’s heroics against England earned them a place in their first ever FIFA World Cup final.

Mario Mandzukic’s own goal gave France an early lead against Croatia.

Ivan Perisic made it 1-1 for Croatia.

Ivan Perisic was penalised after he was accused of handling the ball into the area. Referee, with the help of VAR, gave France a controversial penalty which Antoine Griezmann converted easily.

A Paul Pogba strike from outside the area gave France a two-goal lead over Croatia.

Kylian Mbappe delivered when it mattered the most and a goal from the youngster means France were up 4-1.

Hugo Lloris was at fault as Croatia tried making a comeback. But it seemed it was too little too late for them.

And France were crowned as the new World Champions…