Russia coach Stanislav Cherchesov hopes the best is yet to come for the World Cup hosts after they sealed their place in the last 16 by easing past Egypt 3-1 despite Mohamed Salah's return on Tuesday.

Bad start for Egypt
An own-goal by Egypt captain Ahmed Fathi opened the floodgates on a sodden night in Saint Petersburg before goals from Denis Cheryshev and Artem Dzyuba bolstered Russian hopes they can defy pre-tournament expectations with a deep run into the latter stages. Salah did net Egypt's first goal at a World Cup in 28 years from the penalty spot after he had been hauled down 17 minutes from time, but it was too little, too late for the Pharaohs.