"We are all united by love for the most popular sports, football. Our crew is following out favorite team. We wish Russia great play, health, cosmic energy, new victories, well-being, peace and prosperity!" Artemyev said.

Artemyev was the commander of the Soyuz MS-08 spaceflight that delivered him and two US astronauts to the ISS on March 23.

Russia won their opening two matches of the FIFA World Cup, thrashing Saudi Arabia 5-0 and beating Egypt 3-1, to book their place in the knockout stage of the tournament for the first time since the break-up of the Soviet Union.