By ESPN
OnScene: ESPN FC's Confederations Cup updates from Russia - Matchday 1
ESPN FC is "OnScene" in Russia ahead of the opening weekend of Confederations Cup play.
Stay in touch with everything our correspondents have been getting up to.
MONDAY, June 19: MATCHDAY 1
Less than a year to go until the big one kicks off!
Time to leave Kazan. Next stop Sochi for Mexico versus New Zealand on Wednesday. The... https://t.co/ErQnNdUeRL pic.twitter.com/XMEGFS6jyr
- Tom Marshall (@mexicoworldcup) June 19, 2017
Watching Australia v Germany in a Kazan bar called Twin Peaks that is, a bit terrifyingly, actually Twin Peaks-themed. pic.twitter.com/2JOTY7fJqr
- Nick Ames (@NickAmes82) June 19, 2017
AUSTRALIA VS. GERMANY (Sochi, 4 p.m. BST/11 a.m. ET)
Mark gets entertained on the Sapsan Express
Nick catches a glimpse of what could have been...
Kazan's old Central Stadium, seen from the Kremlin. This would have been a *perfect* World Cup location. pic.twitter.com/KGVgOEe4y8
- Nick Ames (@NickAmes82) June 19, 2017
So, about that train to Moscow....
SUNDAY, June 18: MATCHDAY 1
Tom reviews Mexico's opening game
Leaving Kazan Arena. A few thoughts on Mexico's 2-2 draw with Portugal #eltrieng #pormex ������������ pic.twitter.com/XAojwwh8ti
- Tom Marshall (@mexicoworldcup) June 18, 2017
CAMEROON VS. CHILE (Moscow, 7 p.m. BST/2 p.m. ET)
Between chances, fans entertain themselves.
34:15 seconds gone.. time for the wave... #CMRCHI #ConfedCup
- Gabriele Marcotti (@Marcotti) June 18, 2017
Meanwhile, in the Russia capital...
Just over half an hour to kickoff in Moscow... not quite full yet for Cameroon ���� + Chile ���� #ConfedCup2017 pic.twitter.com/QzHNYyt7Li
- Gabriele Marcotti (@Marcotti) June 18, 2017
PORTUGAL VS. MEXICO (Kazan, 4 p.m. BST/11 a.m. ET)
The scene as the anthems get underway at Kazan Arena #eltrieng #pormex pic.twitter.com/PAPv1PG5Kc
- Tom Marshall (@mexicoworldcup) June 18, 2017
Nick Ames and Tom Marshall are live and direct in Kazan
Is it normal these days for stadium seats to spell out hashtags? pic.twitter.com/qo6LJSlijG
- Nick Ames (@NickAmes82) June 18, 2017
Let's hope this doesn't double up as a fan zone
Saint Petersburg a stunning, friendly city. A place to be during Russia 2018...#ConfedCup pic.twitter.com/yLSRCEf8qK
- Mark Ogden (@MarkOgden_) June 18, 2017
But there's always a down side...#saintpetersburg pic.twitter.com/sgV1Vso7gW
- Mark Ogden (@MarkOgden_) June 18, 2017
One of football's grandest figures... meets Gianni Infantino
FIFA president Gianni Infantino just dropped into the media center at Kazan Arena ahead... https://t.co/F57npQTIvM pic.twitter.com/MrWiAnW6HN
- Tom Marshall (@mexicoworldcup) June 18, 2017
Mexico fans gearing up in Kazan. Can El Tri upset Ronaldo and co.?
México fans popular with locals in the center of Kazan. Lots of green shirts around town this morning. #eltrieng #confederationscup pic.twitter.com/dS5QAMqNfK
- Tom Marshall (@mexicoworldcup) June 18, 2017
Mark Ogden discovers just how much Russians love their cats
Tom Marshall's local guides tell us about the city of Kazan
Five things to know about Kazan via local students Diana, Elina and Elvira #eltrieng #confederationscup �������� pic.twitter.com/nPwrjptcYG
- Tom Marshall (@mexicoworldcup) June 17, 2017
Nick Ames has plenty of love for the capital of Russia's Tatarstan region
Kazan is a beautiful, confident place with one of the best arrays of architecture I've seen. But stadium won't be close to full for Ronaldo.
- Nick Ames (@NickAmes82) June 17, 2017
It's a city of surprises, the latest being that the metro trains have screens showing Charlie Chaplin films.
- Nick Ames (@NickAmes82) June 18, 2017
SATURDAY, June 17: MATCHDAY 1
RUSSIA VS. NEW ZEALAND (Saint Petersburg, 4 p.m./11 a.m. ET)
While Russia were beating New Zealand in St. Petersburg, Mexico were enjoying training in Kazan...
Quick update from Mexico's training session in Kazan Arena ������������#eltrieng #kazan #confederationscup pic.twitter.com/mfNj0GMinD
- Tom Marshall (@mexicoworldcup) June 17, 2017
Did we get a look at Juan Carlos Osorio's first-choice XI to face Portugal on Sunday?
Osorio playing an 11 v 12 game in training at Kazan stadium #eltrieng #kazan #ConfederationsCup2017
- Tom Marshall (@mexicoworldcup) June 17, 2017
Here is the team with XI pic.twitter.com/Gd3nxeAuam
After the game came the news conference. Big moment for Osorio!
Juan Carlos Osorio about to speak. Believe this will be his first press conference outside the Americas as a head coach #eltrieng pic.twitter.com/zfMer1AeL7
- Tom Marshall (@mexicoworldcup) June 17, 2017
Nick Ames gets a look at the site of Portugal vs. Mexico...
Kazan Arena. It's very nice. The most optimistic interested-party prediction is that it'll be 70% full on Sun. Bolstered I think by freebies pic.twitter.com/PX3LK7JErN
- Nick Ames (@NickAmes82) June 17, 2017
If you squint a little and use your imagination, it could be Bayern Munich v Real Madrid. Could be...#RUSNZL pic.twitter.com/2NL2RO8JLW
- Mark Ogden (@MarkOgden_) June 17, 2017
Russia are not playing their first game as hosts to a full house
Plenty of empty seats in Saint Petersburg ahead of Russia v NZ... pic.twitter.com/AzJbxA374H
- Mark Ogden (@MarkOgden_) June 17, 2017
This is where Ronaldo and co. will face Mexico on Sunday
Kazan Arena. It's very nice. The most optimistic interested-party prediction is that it'll be 70% full on Sun. Bolstered I think by freebies pic.twitter.com/PX3LK7JErN
- Nick Ames (@NickAmes82) June 17, 2017
Portugal boss Fernando Santos has heard enough about Ronaldo
Portugal coach Santos plied with Qs about Ronaldo in press conference. Said halfway through that he'd wouldn't any more on same subject.
- Tom Marshall (@mexicoworldcup) June 17, 2017
Fernando Santos on Ronaldo rumours: What are the sources of this information? You have to be careful where these rumors start.
- Tom Marshall (@mexicoworldcup) June 17, 2017
Fernando Santos on Ronaldo: I'd put my hands on the fire to vouch for Ronaldo's integrity. I trust him 100% as an athlete and as a man.
- Tom Marshall (@mexicoworldcup) June 17, 2017
Mark Ogden reports from outside the ground as the atmosphere builds
Travelling fans and journalists alike have to tackle the language barrier
This fan will be tough to beat for the 'best national dress' award
Saint Petersburg looks lovely in the sunshine ahead of the big kick-off
Gab Marcotti ponders the tournament's future beyond this summer
The lowdown of Kazan's history before it hosts Mexico vs. Portugal
FRIDAY, June 16
El Tri supporters have made it to Kazan!
Found some Mexico fans! Claudia and Jorge from Los Ángeles #eltrieng #kazan �������� @lafc pic.twitter.com/zEoh1xx4r1
- Tom Marshall (@mexicoworldcup) June 16, 2017
Could Cristiano Ronaldo leave Real Madrid?
Plenty of interest in Portugal's press conference
Full house for Andre Silva's press conference in Kazan. The 21-year-old Portuguese... https://t.co/Jt9B1GnrLb pic.twitter.com/8nsHCkjbkT
- Tom Marshall (@mexicoworldcup) June 16, 2017
No doubting the major storyline when Portugal meet Mexico on Sunday
But, overall, is Russia ready?
And here's a look at Saint Petersburg's shiny new venue
This is what $1.4bn gets you these days. The Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg pic.twitter.com/cq1GTJGLTX
- Mark Ogden (@MarkOgden_) June 16, 2017
Meanwhile, in Kazan, there are plenty of entertainment options
You might call the Confederations Cup a circus, but *this* is a proper circus. pic.twitter.com/iOcdvT9PMi
- Nick Ames (@NickAmes82) June 16, 2017
Russia's capital is a busy place!
For all the latest on the Confederations Cup, check out our index. Can Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo add yet another trophy to his collection? Will South American champions Chile prevail? Or might a young German side come of age?
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