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MOSCOW (Reuters) – Moscow on Sunday night at the World Cup hosts in the quarter-finals, defeating Spain on penalties at Russia's flagship stadium.
Russia had already defied expectations by reaching the World Cup last month for the first time since the collapse of the Soviet Union.
"This is unreal, no-one thought it could happen. And now people are starting to believe, "said Yulia Gordinskaya, who had Russian flags painted on her cheeks.
"Of course we can win the World Cup! We just need a bit of luck, "she said after the game.
Street celebrations broke out almost immediately on a central Moscow square where a band was erupted in a Russian ceremony.
As darkness fell on the capital, fans leaned out of the windows waving flags as crowds danced in the street in front of traffic police.
"This is a great victory for us, for the whole country, the soul of the country," Mikhail Sitner, 34, from Moscow, said.
With celebrations in full swing, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said President Vladimir Putin, who did not wait for the game, had heeded it Stanislav Cherchesov to congratulate him.
The Russian national team has had a chance of winning the Russian World Cup.
Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, who attended Sunday's game with his wife, posted a photograph of himself and Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Mutko clapping and celebrating with Russia's players.
Igor Akinfeev was the name on fans in the capital after the Russian goalkeeper and captain saved two penalties in the 4-3 shootout, including Spain's final effort which he stopped with a trailing foot.
"We cheered so hard. Igor Akinfeev is just a legend, "said Gleb Lonshakov, as his friend shouted" man of the match! "
So far were Russia's expectations going into the tournament that a satirical song mocking the team went viral online, garnering more than nine million views on YouTube.
"Honestly, before the tournament I had very low expectations, everyone was just hoping to God that we would get out of the group stage. And then we drew Spain, I thought everything would end, "said Sitner.
"This morning I was very nervous but now it's time to celebrate."
Sergei Galunenko, 51, a construction worker, went further: "This is the birth (19659019) Reporting by Jack Stubbs, Vladimir Soldatkin, Denis Pinchuk, Catherine Koppel, Writing by Tom Balmforth, Editing by William Maclean and Clare Fallon
