The footballing world spent much of last week on tenterhooks waiting for news about the World Cup hosts for 2018 and 2022, and after the decision was made known, there were plenty of heated discussions: whilst Russia at least has Moscow, St. Petersburg and Lew Jaschin in terms of football culture, Qatar is an empty, baking-hot hole that has not yet earned a place in the football World Atlas. Some jokers came up with the word Qatar-strophe to describe the decisions, while anyone who took a serious look at the proceedings worked out precisely why these two countries won: they offered Fifa the best share of the profits.

German team prior to kick-off in Moscow Photo: picture-alliance

German shouts and celebrations punctuated the night in the frigid Moscow air. A close 1-0 victory had just seen Germany beat Russia in this crucial World Cup qualifier. While the German players exchanged high-fives, Russian heads drooped and the players withdrew into the bowels of the Luzhniki stadium to rue their missed opportunities.

Swiss referee Massimo Busacca denied the Russians a clear cut penalty in the dying minutes of a hard-fought match. In the 88 minute, substitute Arne Friedrich slid into a tackle, taking Bystrov down while the ball bobbled out of play. The referee, despite being only a few meters from the incident, failed to award the spot-kick for the Russians.