As hosts, Russia reached the World Cup knockout stage for the first time since the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991.

They then beat 2010 champions Spain on penalties in the round of 16 but lost to Croatia, also in a penalty shootout, in the last eight on Sunday morning.

"The fact that the president did not attend the matches does not mean he was not passionately supporting our players," said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

"And you know, we said that before, he was in constant contact with (Russia head coach Stanislav) Cherchesov. His schedule did not provide for attending any matches except the opening and the final.

"We are expecting him to attend the final," he added.