Russia’s 3-1 win over African representatives at the World Cup in Russia Egypt has set a milestone that has never been achieved by any other eventual winner after two games.
Their goal tally of eight scored in just two games means they equal the total goals scored by 1934 winners, Italy, but are slightly ahead because Italy had a goal difference of six having conceded two.
Russia has won their opening two matches by score lines of 5-0 and 3-1 against Saudi Arabia and Egypt respectively.
Interestingly, their goal tally equals the total number of goals scored by 2010 champions Spain in the entire tournament.
Their goal difference is an emblem of 1998 winners France who scored a goal less than Russia but managed to keep clean sheets in both of their opening games.
Should Russia get to win by a goal margin of two or more against Uruguay, then they will set the enviable record of a best ever start to a World Cup tournament since its inception in 1931 which was won by Uruguay.
Should they go all the way to emerge the eventual winners after the completion of all matches, they will then become just the second host nation to win the competition after France managed the feat in 1998.
Most of the Russian players are debutants with some having fewer than 10 caps for the national team. That has not been a stumbling block however as they have managed to overcome all odds and register convincing victories in their matches so far.
World heavyweights Uruguay will present the first real test for the hosts and should they see them off as easily as they did with both Saudi Arabia and Egypt, then I guess the odds for their chances of winning the tournament will tumble.
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