Original subtitles

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Russia. The world’s largest country.

First time hosts of the FIFA World Cup.

From the Baltic in the west to the Bering Sea in the east,

fans from every corner of the globe travel thousands of miles

to follow their nations’ fortunes.

Perfect strangers in a vast and unfamiliar land, united by their dreams.

The Luzhniki stadium.

Built in 1954 on flood meadows in a bend on the Moscow River.

Home to the 1980 Moscow Olympics

and venue for the opening fixture of football’s greatest tournament.

The hosts, unfancied and under pressure before a ball has been kicked.

The lowest ranked team of the 32 competing nations meets Saudi Arabia.

Neither expected to return here for the Final on July 15th.

What follows is one of the most remarkable opening fixtures

in World Cup history.

Yury Gazinsky with the tournament’s opening goal.

Denis Cheryshev makes it two.

Artem Dzyuba with number three.

Cheryshev with his second in injury time.

And Aleksandr Golovin completes the rout.

5-0.

The biggest win by the host nation in the opening game of a World Cup

since Italy in 1934.

Russia setting the tone at its own tournament.

Four days later, the hosts face Egypt.

Talisman, national hero,

Mohamed Salah missed the Pharaohs opening defeat to Uruguay due to injury

but has been restored back to health at Egypt’s training base in Grozny,

capital of the Chechen Republic.

A congratulatory call from President Putin for head coach, Cherchesov,

after qualifying for the next round with a 3-1 win.

A nation buoyed with unexpected optimism.

Russia progressing as runners-up to Uruguay in Group A.

Dzyuba and Cheryshev now the names on everybody’s lips.

How quickly fortunes change in football.

Spain versus Portugal.

The most eagerly awaited clash of the group stages

comes early in the tournament.

Days before kick-off and Spanish plans are in disarray.

No sooner had head coach, Julen Lopetegui, landed in Russia

than he was sacked for announcing his move to Real Madrid.

Fernando Hierro thrust into the hot seat.

Spain convey a united front.

The truth is that it’s better to turn this page as soon as possible.

In fact, this is not the most pleasant moment.

So I hope we will have a team with the same spirit

and the dream is still alive

and this hasn’t affected us in any way.

Their Iberian neighbours watch on.

The European Champions plan around one man.

At 33 this is likely to be Cristiano Ronaldo’s last chance

to be crowned World Champion.

Diamond earrings safely removed, in Sochi he is a man on a mission.

A first FIFA World Cup hat-trick for Ronaldo.

Two for Costa as Spain and Portugal share the spoils.

A gauntlet thrown emphatically by Ronaldo.

The very next day against debutants Iceland,

it’s Lionel Messi’s chance to shine.

The Argentine and the Portuguese have dominated the sport for over a decade

but neither has won world football’s greatest prize.

1-1.

Misery for Messi and Argentina.

But it seems that the entire 350,000 population of Iceland are in Moscow

to celebrate their first World Cup point.

In Nizhny Novgorod Argentina prepare to face Croatia.

Brooding, increasingly isolated,

Argentina manager, Jorge Sampaoli, is a man under pressure.

Expertly dispatched by a Luka Modrić inspired Croatia,

only victory in their final match against Nigeria

will save Messi from an ignominious exit

and perhaps, despite the unfathomable talent, eternal disappointment.

St Petersburg, 2018’s northernmost venue

celebrates the midsummer White Nights festival.

In the near continuous daylight,

the capital of Imperial Russia sees Messi at his imperious best.

Marcos Rojo taking a leaf from his captain’s playbook

to eliminate Nigeria in the dying moments of the match.

Turmoil forgotten.

For now.

Messi and Argentina live to fight another day,

qualifying from Group D with a faultless Croatia.

Didier Deschamps captained France to glory in 1998,

now looking to do the same as manager 20 years on.

The fancied French begin against the Socceroos

and struggle to break down the obdurate Aussies.

0-0 at half-time.

Les Bleus sombre but focused at the break.

There’s no composure and calm, guys, in both teams actually.

Give yourselves a helping hand. Don’t commit too many fouls.

Don’t lose your temper. Let them commit more fouls.

I repeat, the change of tempo is important.

Early in the second half a moment of history.

Uruguayan referee, Andrés Cunha, awards a penalty

after calling for a video review.

The first goal ever from a Video Assistant Referee intervention

at a FIFA World Cup.

More drama.

A goal-line technology decision clinches it for France.

Les Bleus off to a winning start.

By a hair’s breadth.

We did the job. It’s good enough. Well done, everyone!

Portugal and Morocco steel themselves.

Another for Ronaldo seals a 1-0 win.

Three points for Portugal and going into the final round of Group B matches,

Iran, Portugal and Spain can all progress.

Iran face Portugal in Saransk.

Spain take on Morocco in Kaliningrad.

With both matches kicking off at the same time,

Video Assistant Refereeing is about to take centre stage.

A penalty confirmed for Portugal after the first review.

Ronaldo denied from the spot.

A raised arm from Ronaldo?

The Portuguese captain avoids a red on review.

Iran incredulous.

Meanwhile in Kaliningrad,

tension mounts as Spain’s late equaliser is reviewed.

The goal stands.

The VAR drama isn’t over yet as, back in Saransk,

a suspected Portugal handball is scrutinised.

Tensions reach fever pitch.

Another goal for Iran and they would qualify at the expense of Portugal.

A battling draw not enough for Iran to progress to the second round

for the first time in their history.

The Portuguese manager of Iran, Carlos Queiroz,

thwarted by his fellow countrymen.

Ronaldo survives as Portugal and Spain qualify from Group B.

We are the champions, my friend.

- Welcome to Russia. - Thank you.

- First time here? - Yes.

This place is lovely.

So, today is the great day, yes?

We hope.

Okay, good luck.

Despite the local support,

‘low expectations’ the working-title for England.

The usual hype and hyperbole muted.

A young squad, a young manager, aiming for 2022.

But in their ranks, a striker at the top of his game.

Two for Harry Kane against Tunisia

and three more against new boys Panama as England hit six.

Kane sets the pace for the Golden Boot.

Belgium progressing with England from Group G.

- Colombia! - Senegal!

Five African teams in the tournament.

One by one they have fallen at the group stages.

Only Senegal remain.

A point enough to progress from Group H.

Colombia must win.

Meanwhile in Volgograd, Japan meekly accept a loss to Poland

hoping to avoid yellow cards to progress under the Fair Play ruling.

1-0 to Colombia.

Despite the heartache of elimination,

Senegal fans leave the Samara Arena as they found it.

With more bookings than Japan, Senegal go home.

No African team in the knockout stages for the first time since 1982.

It’s 6,500 miles from Mexico City to Moscow.

Russian police are on hand to assist with the ongoing repairs

and get the travelling Mexican fans back on the road.

Formidable in qualifying.

A seventh successive FIFA World Cup for Mexico

but a daunting prospect ahead in their opener.

World Champions Germany.

Joachim Löw never failing to reach the semi-finals of a major tournament

during 12 years in charge.

Celebrations in Mexico City set off earthquake detectors

following Hirving Lozano’s winner.

The Germans walk a tightrope.

Against Sweden, Toni Kroos lines up a 95th-minute free kick

to keep their hopes alive.

2-1.

Germany, Sweden, Mexico and Korea Republic

all able to qualify from Group F going into the final round of matches.

Manager, Shin Tae-Yong, rates his team’s chances of victory

against the World Champions at one percent.

The Germans usually find a way.

Deep into stoppage time, Korea think they’ve won it.

The offside decision goes to Video Review.

The goal stands.

Replays confirming that Kroos made the final pass.

1-0.

With six minutes of injury time played, the World Champions have to gamble.

Goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer, joins the attack.

2-0 to Korea.

Shockwaves across the globe.

The first German exit at the group stage of a World Cup since 1938.

The reigning champions finish bottom of Group F

as Sweden and Mexico progress.

Germany out, Brazil can banish any fear of a repeat of the 7-1 defeat

that has haunted them since 2014.

The Canarinho have enjoyed a comfortable progression so far

with two wins and a draw seeing them finish top of Group E.

The travelling Brazilians are in good spirits

as they make their way to Samara to face Mexico.

Neymar inspiring

and infuriating.

Roundly criticised for his over-reaction.

Mexico eliminated at this stage for a seventh successive World Cup.

Neymar timing his return from injury to perfection.

In Rostov, Japan and a much-fancied Belgium meet, with Brazil in wait.

Japan looking to reach the quarter-finals for the first time.

A sterile first half.

An explosive second.

2-0 down with half an hour remaining, Belgium are stung into action.

With extra time seconds away, Japan press for the winner.

Belgium with three goals in the last 21 minutes.

The first time since 1966 that a team has come from two or more goals down

to win in 90 minutes in a World Cup knockout match.

Japan undone at the last.

The ninth 90th-minute winner at this most dramatic of World Cups.

Immortalised on the walls of Kazan, deified throughout the world,

Ronaldo and Messi hauled Portugal and Argentina to the knockout stage.

33 and 31, many speculate this is their last chance to claim the ultimate prize.

On the same day, France and Uruguay stand in their way.

The cunning combination of Cavani and Suárez too much for Portugal.

In Kazan, Pavard scores a contender for goal of the tournament

against Argentina just before the hour mark.

The explosiveness of Kylian Mbappe sends Argentina home in a 4-3 thriller.

Ronaldo and Messi depart.

In 1,279 minutes of World Cup knockout football, neither has ever scored.

The changing of the guard perhaps?

Mbappe with two goals in 90 minutes seizes centre stage.

The first teenager to score twice in a World Cup match since Pelé in 1958.

It’s 8,000 miles across the Russian Federation.

From the border with Poland in the west to Japan in the east.

For the diverse population of this vast nation,

qualifying from Group A was beyond the expectations of most.

Now their journey in the tournament will surely end

against the much-fancied Spanish.

An own goal makes it 1-0 to Spain.

Dzyuba levels from the spot.

The Spanish - intricate, neat, but lacking penetration.

Largely neutered by the dogged and determined Russians.

1-1 after 120 minutes.

Penalties.

Cheryshev makes it four successful spot-kicks for Russia.

With Spain having missed one,

Iago Aspas must score to avoid elimination.

Akinfeev invoking the spirit of Lev Yashin.

Russia in the quarter-finals for the first time since 1970.

A royal pardon for Ramos from King Felipe.

The 2010 Champions humbled by the lowest ranked side in the tournament.

From Vladivostok to Kaliningrad,

144 million Russians united in celebration.

One South American giant overpowered,

France now face Argentina’s neighbours from across the River Plate

in the quarter-finals.

Antoine Griezmann’s declared love of maté and all things Uruguayan

will have to be forgotten for 90 minutes.

Cavani and Suárez commanding so far,

Uruguay have won all four of their matches,

displaying their usual Garra Charrúa or warrior spirit.

But a blow for the South Americans.

Cavani ruled out with a calf injury.

Varane makes it 1-0.

Diego Godin, godfather to Griezmann’s daughter, but no time for sentiment.

Uruguay careless, France ruthless.

2-0.

France unbeaten in 10 FIFA World Cup matches against South American sides.

A sixth semi-final for Les Bleus.

Kazan.

Capital of the Republic of Tatarstan in the southwest of Russia.

The end of the line for Argentina and Germany already,

a Belgium win against Brazil

will make it three World Cup winners to fall in this city.

Belgium’s golden generation is coming of age.

A fortunate deflection for the first.

A scintillating second.

De Bruyne the 9th Belgian goal scorer in the tournament.

Renato Augusto gives Brazil hope.

Neymar denied at the death.

2-1 to Belgium.

Courtois, man of the match.

Brazil eliminated by European teams at the last four FIFA World Cups.

It will be the first time since 1930

that neither Germany or Brazil are in the semi-final.

Belgium’s first since 1986.

Buoyed by success, the Russian public are in good voice.

“Ageing and inexperienced: why Russia is doomed to fail,”

ran the Moscow Times on the eve of the tournament.

The hosts have rewritten their headlines.

In Sochi, they prepare for their quarter-final against Croatia.

Nine months into the job, Zlatko Dalić is on the verge

of emulating the great Croatian side of 1998

by guiding his team to a semi-final.

Cheryshev with his fourth goal of the tournament makes it 1-0 to the hosts.

Cherchesov, the coolest Russian west of Vladivostok.

Kramarić with the equaliser.

1-1 after 90 minutes.

Extra time.

Vida gives Croatia the lead,

politely thanking the referee for a booking.

Fernandes levels with five minutes left to take it to penalties.

Two Russian misses, one Croatian.

Rakitić with the chance to win it.

Heartbreak for Russia

but they have made a nation fall in love with football once more.

Two penalty shoot-out victories in a row,

Croatia are progressing the hard way.

President Grabar-Kitarović leads the celebrations.

In the Round of 16 against Colombia,

England hoped for a change in fortune to reach the quarter-finals.

Like oil and water, England and World Cup penalty shoot-outs don’t mix.

Eliminated from the spot in 1990, 1998 and 2006,

it was penalties again against the South Americans,

deprived by injury of their talisman, James Rodríguez.

Waistcoat sales soar 35% in England due to the ‘Gareth Southgate effect’.

Sweden.

Practical and no-nonsense are England’s last eight challenge.

Janne Andersson’s 4-4-2 line-up assembled with team ethic

rather than the individual at its heart.

“Easy to analyse, difficult to beat,” according to the manager.

Andersson admitted spying on Korea Republic during the Group stages.

No need for subterfuge in Samara - they know English football well.

2-0.

England progress comfortably to their first FIFA World Cup semi-final

since Italia 90.

The tournament is now an all-European affair.

In St Petersburg, on the shores of the Baltic,

France prepare for Belgium.

Les Bleus.

With nine goals in five games they are the lowest scorers of the last four.

Belgium are the highest with 14.

To some, France are functionality over flair.

Attributes shared by manager, Didier Deschamps,

as he captained his country to victory in 1998.

In the Belgium camp, a legend of French football.

Thierry Henry, France’s leading scorer in 1998,

now plotting to topple his former captain.

With time running out, Belgium press for the equaliser.

France head to Moscow to contest their third FIFA World Cup Final.

Belgium left wondering whether the chance has now gone

for this supremely talented group.

Luka Modrić, playmaker, captain, leader.

One of the stand-out players of the tournament.

Now England must tame this quicksilver talent.

“Football’s Coming Home” they sing.

England have gone further than many dared to dream.

Flights from London to Moscow have sold out

amid reports of a warm Russian welcome.

The Three Lions’ choir is growing and the songs are getting louder.

A dream start for England.

Trippier makes it 1-0 after five minutes.

England dominate the first period and push for a second.

Modrić and Rakitić begin to impose themselves after the break.

Perišić with the equaliser.

Extra time again for the Croatians, for the third match in a row.

109 minutes played, Mandžukić puts Croatia in front for the first time.

Tensions reach boiling point in stoppage time.

Resolve, bravery and determination personified.

For a country of only four million people,

a first-ever FIFA World Cup Final.

England fans sing deep into the Moscow night,

refusing to leave the Luzhniki stadium.

Disappointment tinged with delight at the promise of this young squad.

2022 can’t come soon enough.

At 1am, Gareth Southgate goes to celebrate the emotional connection

the team has re-established with its fans.

July 15th, 2018.

Moscow prepares to host its first FIFA World Cup Final.

France the favourites.

Croatia newcomers to this stage of a tournament.

The lowest-ranked nation ever to reach the Final.

Formalities over, France and Croatia prepare for battle.

An own goal from Mandžukić opens the scoring.

10 minutes later, Perišić levels for Croatia.

Controversy just before the break.

Video Review to confirm if Perišić intentionally handled in the box.

Penalty to France.

The storm clouds gather for Croatia.

2-1 at the break.

Croatia question the penalty decision as they return for the second half.

France turn the screw.

Pogba makes it 3-1.

And livewire Mbappe makes it four.

Once again emulating the feats of Pelé in 1958,

becoming only the second teenager to score in a FIFA World Cup Final.

An uncharacteristic blunder from Lloris.

Mandžukić pulls one back.

4-2 but Les Bleus are cruising.

France, World Champions for a second time.

The second youngest squad in the competition,

oozing joie de vivre and élan.

Young Frenchmen from diverse ethnic backgrounds,

dancing and dabbing their way to victory.

Deschamps only the third man in history to win as a player and a coach.

Croatia’s resilience and durability not enough this time.

With more passes than any other player,

Modrić is named player of the tournament

but at 33, his best chance may have gone.

The highest-scoring FIFA World Cup Final in 60 years,

a fitting end to a tournament that many argue is the greatest ever.

The storm that has been brewing all evening

finally breaks during the presentation ceremony.

France lifting the trophy on a rainy night in Moscow,

one of the defining images of the tournament.

I am a champion. I can do what I want.

From the oppressive heat of Samara to the Baltic cool of St Petersburg,

Russia and the World Cup began as perfect strangers

but end with an affectionate embrace of friendship.

Millions of memories have been made

and the dreams of so many have been both shattered and realised.