The World Cup is turning out to be an unpredictable beast. Today, all eyes here will be on England, as Harry Kane & Co attempt to make progress to the quarter-finals. Expectations, once rather low, have been raised by some moderately pleasing performances in the group stage – and perhaps just as much by the fact that the “big” teams in England’s half of the draw have been dispatched.

Whatever happens, Gareth Southgate has presented himself and his team well: even if England don’t lift the trophy his reputation as manager has been enhanced. Over on the other side of the draw, Brazil and France are playing the kind of football that may well lead to glory. Russia, meanwhile, have surprised almost everyone by playing with determination and panache to reach the last eight.

The hosts’ successful run has merely been the icing on the cake for the tournament’s real winner, however. For Vladimir Putin, this World Cup has already been a remarkable victory for soft power.

Spain vs Russia World Cup player ratings Show all 22 1 /22 Spain vs Russia World Cup player ratings Spain vs Russia World Cup player ratings <b>Spain:</b> David De Gea - 6 out of 10 Could do little for the penalty which was conceded by poor defence in front of him AFP/Getty Images Spain vs Russia World Cup player ratings Nacho - 6 out of 10 In from the start ahead of Dani Carvajal, and had little to do defensively, made way for Carvajal in the second half AFP/Getty Images Spain vs Russia World Cup player ratings Gerard Pique - 6 out of 10 Gave away the penalty with a needless handball, and struggled against the height of the Russians at set pieces AP Spain vs Russia World Cup player ratings Sergio Ramos - 6 out of 10 Alongside Pique, looked less than comfortable with the height of Artem Dzyuba REUTERS Spain vs Russia World Cup player ratings Jordi Alba - 6 out of 10 Had less impact on the game than he normally would, often made sharp runs forward that were missed by his teammates AFP/Getty Images Spain vs Russia World Cup player ratings Koke - 5 out of 10 Similarly to Busquets he often chooses a sideways pass, must try harder to get in behind an ageing Russian defence. Suffered the ignominy of having his penalty saved by Akinfeev. AFP/Getty Images Spain vs Russia World Cup player ratings Sergio Busquets - 6 out of 10 His more defensive style worked well in terms of possession, but often passes to the side or short instead of looking further forward AFP/Getty Images Spain vs Russia World Cup player ratings Marco Asensio - 6 out of 10 Given the chance from the offing, but unable to really penetrate the defence and link with Costa, in order to showcase his talent AFP/Getty Images Spain vs Russia World Cup player ratings David Silva - 7 out of 10 Linked well with Isco, but one of many that needs to look forward and link more with Diego Costa left on his own upfront AFP/Getty Images Spain vs Russia World Cup player ratings Isco - 7 out of 10 The new star of this Spanish team, always available for a pass and has the ability to beat players with ease Getty Images Spain vs Russia World Cup player ratings Diego Costa - 6 out of 10 Easy to feel sorry for the former Chelsea man, who is at odds with the tika taka style, made good runs but ignored by his teammates who chose to pass sideways REUTERS Spain vs Russia World Cup player ratings <b>Russia:</b> Igor Akinfeev - 8 out of 10 Could do nothing for the own goal, after being completely wrong-footed, and had little to do until his moment to shine in the shootout as he saved from Koke and Iago Aspas. AFP/Getty Spain vs Russia World Cup player ratings Ilya Kutepov - 6 out of 10 Solid in defence, and cleared several balls early in the second half before they could reach the lurking Diego Costa AFP/Getty Images Spain vs Russia World Cup player ratings Sergei Ignashevich - 6 out of 10 Made no attempt to get the ball, only to wrestle with Sergio Ramos for his own goal. Poor, but his vast experience at 39 years old helped him through the half. AP Spain vs Russia World Cup player ratings Fedor Kudryashov - 7 out of 10 Dealt well with the relentless Spanish possession despite their lack of real penetration to get in behind the defence AFP/Getty Images Spain vs Russia World Cup player ratings Figueira Fernandes - 7 out of 10 Spent much of the game pressuring the Spanish tika taka possession, but tried to get forward in attack too when given a chance AFP/Getty Images Spain vs Russia World Cup player ratings Daler Kuzyaev - 7 out of 10 Industrial and no-nonsense defending, got behind the ball and dealt well with the constant Spanish pressure. Gave everything for his team. AFP/Getty Images Spain vs Russia World Cup player ratings Roman Zobnin - 7 out of 10 Hard worker and had plenty to do up against the likes of David Silva and Isco. Conceded possession but ensured they didn’t advance upfield. AFP/Getty Images Spain vs Russia World Cup player ratings Yuri Zhirkov - 6 out of 10 He was the villain early on giving the free kick away, which Spain eventually scored from. Grew into the game and didn’t let it affect his performance AP Spain vs Russia World Cup player ratings Aleksandr Samedov - 6 out of 10 Hard working, and used his experience to frustrate Spain, whilst also looking to break up play and set Russia off on the counter AP Spain vs Russia World Cup player ratings Aleksandr Golovkin - 7 out of 10 Quick, nimble and skilful, he is one of the most comfortable in possession for Russia, and tried to linked with Dzyuba AFP/Getty Images Spain vs Russia World Cup player ratings Artem Dzyuba - 8 out of 10 The key man for Russia, his height and power gave them an outlet regardless of the amount of possession Spain had AP

Let’s not forget that in the run-up to the competition many voices were warning of the potential for trouble between hooligan elements. Russia’s notorious “ultras” have a well-earned reputation and were said to be up for taking on all-comers. As it is, they appear to have either stayed at home or changed their ways. Perhaps it’s just a bit too hot for fighting.

It also seemed to be a given that black players would be subjected to racist chanting by home fans. Danny Rose was so concerned at the potential for abuse that he asked his family to stay at home, rather than watch him on football’s biggest stage. So far, the hideous monkey chants heard in club fixtures in Russia have not materialised.

The other anxiety was that the police would be heavy-handed in their attempts to keep the peace. Nationalist Cossack groups, armed with their famous whips, seemed set to join regular law enforcement authorities in cracking down on those who might cause trouble, while fans were told to expect to encounter heavily armed police as a matter of course.

As things stand, however, policing has been visible but broadly redundant, with fans behaving themselves in the summer sun. Vodka has, by all reports, been abundant but hasn’t fuelled the violent clashes that many expected. Efforts by Russian authorities quietly to clamp down on home grown hooliganism in the months leading up to the World Cup appear to have been successful. Trouble-makers from elsewhere have been prevented from travelling to the tournament by officials at home.

What’s more, speculation that English fans would receive an icy reception as a result of the Sergei and Yulia Skripal poisoning affair has not been born out on the ground. In March, when diplomatic relations between the UK and Russia were at rock bottom, all talk was of sanctions, protests, boycotts and a new Cold War. Would English fans bear the brunt of Russian anger over British accusations about the deployment of chemical-weapon wielding assassins?

Well no, apparently not. Those who have travelled to Russia to follow Southgate’s men have spoken of the warm reception they have received.

For the Kremlin, and for many Russians, the World Cup provided an opportunity to “convince people that Russia is a normal country”, as my colleague Oliver Carroll reported last month.

In fact, the nation seems to have gone one better, by demonstrating (at least on the surface) that it is the model host of the planet’s most famous sporting event. There has been none of the anxiety about unfinished stadiums and domestic protests that beset the 2014 competition in Brazil; none of the street battles that dogged the Euros in France in 2016. Political disputes have been put firmly on the back-burner. Whether this proves that Russia is “normal” or, rather, is simply evidence of the power of the state to impose its will probably depends on your point of view.