The Confederations Cup is drawing to a close, and overall Russians will feel pleased at how the eight-team warm-up tournament has gone – except for the performance of the home team. Leon Goretzka drives Germany past Mexico into Confederations Cup final Read moreIntended as a scaled-down dress rehearsal to test World Cup hosts a year before the real thing, this tournament for Russia has been about trying to push back against the international perception of the country. The happy demeanour of the endless rows of volunteers will be the enduring memory of the tournament for many fans. Hooliganism and racism were not a problem during the Confederations Cup and may not be one at the World Cup either, but Russian officials often do not help themselves, with a Football Union official cheering on the violence in Marseille at Euro 2016, and a Confederations Cup welcome event featuring banana-wielding “Cameroonians” in blackface. I’m going to start saving up for the World Cup, starting tomorrow.”Sánchez key in final as Chile take on young GermanySunday’s Confederations Cup final is set to be a game of contrasts.

Source: The Guardian July 01, 2017 20:24 UTC