Ponying up

Shocked by a dramatic World Cup victory over Spain, Russians are fulfilling all kinds of long-shot promises made in desperation before Sunday

Russia's unprecedented advance to the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals and shocking victory over Spain means a lot to many Russians. It's a national event and a cause for celebration. It's also something even the most ardent fans didn't expect, and now a lot of those folks are honor-bound to live up to some pretty wild public promises. And we're not talking only about shaving heads and coughing up bottles of cognac. Meduza even created an online generator for World Cup promises for our Russian readers. Well, the game is done, and guess what? It's time to pay the piper.

Streak through the countryside 🏃‍♀️

We BELIEVED. When the Russia-Spain game started, we vowed that we girls would run topless through the countryside, if our boys won, and Romka would run in pink PJs. Our team didn't disappoint!!!! And neither did we! P.S. Our voices are completely gone.

Get a face tattoo 💘

The rapper T-Killah promised to tattoo the words “Russia” and “Igor” on his face, if Russia beat Spain, and he apparently followed through on the promise immediately after the game. Judging by the comments on Instagram, however, not everybody believes it's the real deal.

Hit up the grocery store in your birthday suit 🍺

I bet Meduza that I'd go buy a beer in the nude, if Russia wins. #nudist #ImNaked #NakedInTheCity

Booze it up 🍻

Well, this I can do. If Russia beats Spain, I promise [to get drunk], according to Meduza's quarterfinals challenge.

Promise fulfilled.

Stop listening to Monetochka 🎧

The suspense. Will my playlist change after Sunday's game?

Liza, forgive me.

Axing the stache 🛀

Here we go...

And now I'm off to wash the mustache. OH MY GOD.

Showing up to work in a dress, or a bathing suit 👗👙

Ahead of Sunday's game, “Sport FM” host Alexander Sofronov promised to spend the entire workday in a dress, if Russia beat Spain. He kept his word!

On Friday, Sveta Molodtsova promised to come to the studio in a bathing suit and a kokoshnik, if Russia beat Spain. Remember? What Sveta says she'll do, Sveta does!

Get married 💍

I'm looking for a wife... I promised Mom that I'd get married, if Team Russia wins the game...

Take a dip in the Neva River (which is 54°F right now) 🏊‍♀️

Thank you, everyone on Team Russia, for this victory! I've kept my word. #WeReAllSoccerCrazy #SwamInTheNeva #StPetersburg #lunacy&valor

P.S. We're all looking forward to supermodel Natalia Vodianova's rendition of “Kalinka” 💃

If Russia beats Spain, I promise to donate 1 million rubles [$15,755] to the development of soccer in Russia and to dance the Kalinka before the final game at Luzhniki.

Text by Sultan Suleimanov, translation by Kevin Rothrock