Summary
Russia is the third nation to book a slot in the quarter finals after edging out Spain. Igor Akinfeev saved two spot-kicks as hosts Russia beat Spain 4-3 in a dramatic penalty shootout to reach the World Cup quarter-finals after their last-16 tie had ended 1-1 after 120 minutes. Akinfeev kept out efforts by Koke and Iago Aspas as the 2010 champions – unbeaten in their previous 23 games – became the latest big-name casualty to exit the tournament after Germany, Argentina and Portugal.
Spain hit the ground running troubling Russia in the initial stages of the game. Sergei Ignashevich scored the oldest own goal to see Spain take an early lead before Russia levelled from the spot as well in the 41 minute courtesy of Artem Dzyuba.
Dzyuba’s penalty made the first half interesting with Diego Costa’s suddenly being involved in the last couple of minutes of the half.
None of the teams managed to break the deadlock in regular time, forcing the game into extra time. There was a historic moment as the first ever fourth substitution was made in a World Cup match when Aleksandr Erokhin came on for Daler Kuzyaev.
Moments
10′ Zhirkov penalised for clattering ito Nacho, giving Spain a freekick in an ideal crossing position wide on the right.
11′ Goal! Spain lead! It was either a goal, or a penalty. It was a devilishly brilliant delivery from the free-kick by Marco Asensio, arcing inwards towards the back post. Sergio Ramos was there, but wrestled to the ground by Sergei Ignashevich. As the Russian actioned the rugby tackle, the ball hit his ankle and went in. If he’d been more interested in playing the ball than taking down Ramos, he might have cleared it.
41′ Artem Dzyuba slots it in to the bottom right corner and Russia are level. He sprints to the corner flag and salutes to the crowd.
51′ Spain try a more direct approach, curling a high freekick into the area from the right. Pique wins the header and donks it several yards over the bar. Worth noting that he was able to outjump the defender without thrusting his arms above his head.
57′ Costa drives to the byline and pulls the ball back for Isco, who had darted into the box. His shot is deflected out for a corner. He takes it himself and it’s headed away by Dzyuba.
84′ After a cross from the let Aspas plays a beautiful chest-pass back to Iniesta, who unleashes a shot from 20 yards. Akinfeev gets down smartly to push it away. It was a good effort on course for the bottom corner.
96′ Little bit of history here. The first fourth sub in a World Cup match. Aleksandr Erokhin on, Daler Kuzyaev off.
120′ Igor Akinfeev saves Koke’s penalty
120′ Igor Akinfeev makes a decisive save, saving Iago Aspas’ penalty
Match Statistics
Player Ratings
Line Ups
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