Russia's President Putin visits 2018 FIFA World Cup Football Park in Moscow's Red Square.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that his country's hosting of the soccer World Cup had helped debunk stereotypes about it.
Russia's host nation status had been met with resistance by some in the West who suggested the tournament could be unsafe and play into the hands of Putin, who stands accused by Washington of conducting "malign activities" around the world.
But the month-long tournament, which ends on July 15, has so far been without major security incidents. Concerns about racism and hooligan violence that were discussed in the run-up have not been borne out and most visiting fans have spoken of a positive experience.
At a meeting with FIFA president Gianni Infantino and former soccer stars at the Kremlin, Putin said the tournament and its coverage on social media had "helped break many stereotypes about Russia".
Football fans will have themselves a feast Friday as the 2018 FIFA World Cup’s quarterfinal matches begin with two heavyweight clashes.Uruguay will take on France in the first match of the day at 5 p.m. local time (GMT1400) at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium.Only conceding one goal so far in the tournament, Uruguay will look to gain strength from their tough defense one more time. But this time, they will face an opponent which has started firing on all cylinders recently.Thanks to a brace by their striker Edinson Cavani, Uruguay eliminated Portugal to advance to the last eight, sending Cristiano Ronaldo home.Video: 2018 FIFA World Cup RussiaFrance, on the other hand, eliminated Lionel Messi and the Argentina team with a 4-3 score in the second round, behind an illustrious performance by young star Kylian Mbappe.The second match of the day will be at Kazan Arena at 9 p.m. local time (GMT1800) when two tournament favorites, Brazil and Belgium, will square off.Japan's oracle octopus boiled and butcheredBrazil's Neymar should drop the injury act: World Cup winner MatthaeusBrazil eliminated Mexico 2-0, while Belgium needed a 0-2 deficit comeback to eliminate Japan 3-2.Speaking to FIFA TV, Brazil's Willian said "Brazil's football will always be one where players smile while they play"."I think football evolves and gets harder every year. Look at this World Cup," he said, recalling that some big teams like Germany, Spain, Portugal and Argentina are already out.
World Cup: Quarterfinal matches begin Friday
"People have seen that Russia is a hospitable country, a friendly one for those who come here," Putin said.
"I'm sure that an overwhelming majority of people who came will leave with the best feelings and memories of our country and will come again many times."
Increasingly isolated on the global stage, Putin has used the tournament to send a defiant message to his opponents that Russia is succeeding despite Western efforts to hold it back.
The Kremlin shrugged off on Thursday a fresh demand from Britain that it provide details about the Novichok nerve agent attack on a former double agent and his daughter in March after two British citizens were struck down this week with the same poison. Russia denies involvement in either attack.
"NEW IMAGE"
Moscow's pedestrian streets have been flooded with fans and locals who have celebrated the world's most prestigious soccer tournament until the small hours of the morning.
"I was told people, police in the Red Square are smiling," Infantino told Putin, laughing.
"When they are asked for some information, they are very friendly. This is great. This is exactly what Russia is. This is the new image that we have about Russia."
The Russian team's unexpected success at the World Cup has also added to the event's appeal in the country.
After entering the tournament as the lowest-ranked side, Russia made it through to the knockout stage for the first time in post-Soviet history before upsetting Spain to make it to the quarter-finals.
Russia will face Croatia in the quarter-finals in Sochi on Saturday.