Russia 2018: The people are welcoming and the beer is cold
There seems to be no hint of trouble as fans party in Moscow - and even stony-faced security guards join in, says Enda Brady.
Friday 15 June 2018 08:56, UK
The one thing that really stood out in Russia on the opening day of the World Cup was how football never fails to bring people together.
Put politics and intrigue to one side and you realise quite how powerful the game really is.
Russians aren't by nature the kind of people who will readily dance and sing in public, yet that was exactly what happened at the fan zone near the stunning Luzhniki Stadium, where the host nation beat Saudi Arabia 5-0.
Perhaps it was the infectious enthusiasm of the Peruvian masses that kickstarted the party. They are here in their thousands for their first World Cup since Spain in 1982.
As the Peruvians partied, they were joined by Costa Ricans, Argentinians, Brazilians and flamboyantly dressed Mexicans.
Even the stony-faced Russian security guards and police were enjoying this incredible sporting carnival.
Alcohol was on sale and there wasn't the slightest hint of trouble anywhere.
Russia has invested about £8bn in this world cup and it has been overseen by Vladimir Putin himself.
New stadiums have been constructed and old ones completely revamped.
With the world watching, there is a lot of pressure to deliver, on and off the pitch. And on day one, Russia did not disappoint.
This was a world cup that England had been desperate to host. In the end, the country's only involvement here at the opening ceremony was a performance by Robbie Williams.
Party like a Russian? (one of Robbie's songs). Or, maybe better, a Peruvian. This promises to be a compelling four-weeks full of drama.
In four days I've met one single England fan, but that will change when we head to Volgograd for the group G game against Tunisia.
It's a shame more England fans haven't travelled for this.
As one Australian supporter told me: "This is a magnificent setting, the people are welcoming and the beer is cold."