You're reading: RFE/RL: As Russia rolls in World Cup, Chechen cheers are muted

With Russian hosting its first-ever World Cup soccer championship and its low-ranked national team faring well in the early matches, the country is in the grips of soccer fever.

After Russia beat Egypt 3-1 on June 20 to virtually guarantee itself a spot in the second round of the competition, the country erupted in flag waving and a cacophony of honking horns and patriotic songs.

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