We all love footballers putting a shift in.
The first batch of World Cup group games have come and gone and there have been no shortage of subplots so far.
Own goals, set pieces and VAR controversy have very much been the order of play in Russia.
CLAIM YOUR FREE £20 BET Sun Bets have this brilliant offer when you sign up and bet a fiver
The difference between winning and losing can often depend on just how much effort a team put into their performance.
As the host nation, maximum effort is something that is immediately expected of Russia – a department that they certainly haven’t failed to deliver in so far.
The stats behind the average distance covered (metres per minute) per player, from every side’s first group game, have been revealed.
Feast on those numbers…
Russia have so far thrived under the weight of expectation that was placed on them as the host nation.
Stanislav Cherchesov’s side have relished the pressure instead of crumbling like many first thought they would.
The hosts have racked up impressive back-to-back win against Saudi Arabia and Egypt respectively, and have clearly been inspired by the home support.
Aleksandr Golovin and co covered an average of 118.1m per minute, per player, in their opening-day 5-0 demolition of Saudi Arabia.
Not only did they collectively cover the most ground in their opening game, Russia also have three players inside the top 10 for individual distance covered.
The nation’s poster-boy, Aleksandr Golovin, leads the way with an impressive 12.7km covered.
To put that into comparison, Cristiano Ronaldo covered 8.72km in Portugal’s frantic 3-3 draw with Spain.
Alexander Samedov and Iury Gazinsky make up the rest of the top three, with Roman Zobnin completing the Russian contingent in the top 10.
The evident desire from the hosts to work hard for the whole 90 minutes is likely to have been helped by the support of the home crowd.
The metaphorical 12th man, who Delia Smith famously cried out for on the Carrow Road pitch, has been out in full force for Russia.
It could have been a completely different story however, with the team coming into the tournament shrouded in negativity.
The supporters have come together and their enthusiasm has been mirrored by the players.
If the Russian fans maintain their support then who knows what the team could achieve this summer.
Surprisingly, Brazil rank third from bottom in the average distance per minute, per player covered so far.
Tite’s side laboured to a 1-1 draw with Switzerland in their opening game, with an average of just 99.6m.
Iran however covered the least of any team in the tournament in their opening game, with an average distance per minute, per player of 97.4m.
Despite ranking bottom, Iran still managed to register a 1-0 win against Morocco.
Seems a bit unfair.
Imagine the scenes if Russia reached the final.