Russia Stun Spain In Penalty Shoot-Out And Progress To World Cup Quarter-Final

Russia Stun Spain In Penalty Shoot-Out And Progress To World Cup Quarter-Final
17:57, 01 Jul 2018

2018 World Cup hosts Russia are through to the last eight after upsetting Spain in a penalty-shoot.

Tied 1-1 at full-time and then extra-time, the match in Moscow went to penalties to decide who would go through to the quarter-finals. Russia didn’t miss a penalty and when Koke and Iago Aspas couldn’t convert their spot-kicks, it was the unfancied locals who secured a historic victory.

Heading into the game Spain were undefeated, but largely unimpressive, in the group stage after two draws and a victory over Iran. Russia had started the tournament with two big wins, but had been defeated by Uruguay in their last group game.

The hosts went with a 5-3-2 formation, while the Europeans started with a 4-2-3-1. Andres Iniesta was on the bench, as was Rodrigo and Thiago, with Marco Asensio, Nacho and Koke getting a chance to shine.

It was a great start for Spain as they took the lead after just 11 minutes. From a free kick on the right, Sergio Ramos got to the ball fortunately with the back of his heel to make it 1-0. It was exactly the kind of beginning Russia dreaded. Spain dominated possession, content to keep the ball and ping it from player to player, while Russia parked the bus.

The hosts barely touched the ball, but when they did the Luzhniki Stadium went wild. It took them 36 minutes to finally register a shot on the Spanish goal. Two minutes later there was a breakthrough – this time fortunate striking for the Russians. From a corner Artem Dzyuba headed for goal and it was blocked by Gerald Pique’s arm. A penalty was duly given and Dzyuba slammed it home to tie it up.

Right on half-time there was two good chances for Spain, with Diego Costa forcing Igor Akinfeev into two decent saves. But Russia held on and took the 1-1 scoreline into the break. They made a change, with Vladimir Granat replacing Yury Zhirkov.

The second half continued like the first – Spain with all the ball, but struggling to make an impact on a massed Russian wall of bodies. In the 60th minute the hosts made their second chance with Alexander Samedov off for Denis Cheryshev. Dogged and determined, the Russians kept plugging away. Four minutes later they swapped Dzyuba for Feder Smolov.

In the 66th minute Spain made its first substitution, with David de Silva making way for Iniesta. Could the Barca midfielder conjure a winner? Next they brought Dani Carvajal on instead of Nacho. Still Russia held out despite rarely having possession. Will 11 minutes left Spain replaced Costa with Aspas.

In the 84th minute first Iniesta, then Aspas, forced Akinfeev into action. But the stalemate dragged on and extra-time beckoned. Right before full-time Spain had three corners in a row, but still no goal would come. The match went into extra-time but chances were rare.

In the 96th minute Daler Kuziaev came off and Aleksandr Erokhin came on. Span pressed forward, camped in the Russian half, and then Rodrigo replaced Asensio. Penalties grew nearer and nearer, and were the hosts’ best chance of a result. In the 108th minute Rodrigo break down the right but again Akinfeev thwarted the Europeans. It was the best opportunity of the extra-time period but Russia’s keeper would not be beaten. Seven minutes later the VAR was called to check on a potential penalty, after Ramos went down in the box, but no penalty was correctly given.

The heavens opened and the rain tumbled down. Penalties would decide who stayed alive in the World Cup and who didn’t. Spain won the toss and Iniesta took the first penalty, scoring with ease. Smolov stepped up and converted his spot-kick. Pique was next and he scored his. Serge Ignashevich kept the scoring going and made it 2-2.

Someone had to miss and unfortunately it was Koke, with his shot blocked by Akinfeev. The initiative was Russia’s and Aleksandr Golovin rammed it home to take the score to 3-2. Ramos had to score next and he made no mistake. Cheryshev took it to 4-3 and it was left to Aspas. If he missed, Spain were out. But Aspas bluffed his chance, Akinfeev getting a trailing foot to his strike, and Russia’s World Cup dream amazingly rolled on.

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