Russia vs Argentina: 5 talking points

#4 More's expected from Russia as the hosts

Russia national football team

Since the conclusion of the Euro 2016 last year, Russia have participated in a spate of international friendlies as well as the all-important Confederations Cup earlier this year. And to sum up their rehearsals for the finals, it's been erratic to say the least.

Whilst they are capable enough to hold a belligerent Belgium to a 3-3 draw at home, Russia have also shown the tendency to get pegged back against the likes of Ivory Coast and Iran. Such is the scale of the crests and troughs they've been through since the past year.

Today against Argentina, Stanislav Cherchesov's side were left all over the place like pieces of paper crumbs as the mighty visitors attacked at full pelt. It was only for Igor Akinfeev that Russia kept themselves alive so far into the match. But as the hosts of the 2018 World Cup, the expectations are quite more than what it is usually.

The group stage exit at the Confederations Cup in June has given a gist of what its going to be like in the finals next year and Russia hope to do better in eight months time. Else, watch the ignominy of joining South Africa as the only two host countries ever to have been knocked out in the group stages of the World Cup.