MOSCOW — We have a saying in Russia, Stanislav Cherchesov told reporters from behind his fearsome mustache on Saturday afternoon.

“Anyone,” said Cherchesov, the coach of Russia’s World Cup team, “can be a god if he tries.”

The statement — made a day before Russia would play Spain in the World Cup’s round of 16 — was both pushback and premonition. Cherchesov knew what everyone was thinking: that his Russia team, the lowest-ranked in the field, had surpassed expectations as the host of the World Cup but would surely reach the end of the line when it took on Spain, a former world and European champion.

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But Cherchesov seemed to know better. He thought his team had more to give. And he was right.