Stanislav Cherchesov is rarely lost for a laconic response and kept a straight face when asked, half an hour after Russia had all but booked their place in the last 16 of the World Cup with a 3-1 win over Egypt, whether this had been the happiest day of his life.
“I hope there are many more to come,” Cherchesov responded plainly, before quickly moving on to the next question. Even if he was not willing to engage in hyperbole with the world’s media, the lid on his emotions was not too tightly fixed. After his post-match news conference had finished, he exchanged hugs and handshakes with a number of local well-wishers. Before it, as he took his time to leave the Krestovsky Stadium pitch, he had waved his arms to exhort one last roar from an almost disbelieving home crowd.