In arguably the biggest shock of the tournament so far, Spain were dumped out of Russia 2018 by the World Cup hosts at the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow, losing 4-2 on penalties after the regulation time ended 1-1.
Hosts, Russia, playing in their first ever knock out game in the World Cup, looked like they prepared to take the game into penalties and they succeeded, Akinfeev heroically winning against Spain who continued their ignominious record of never defeating a host nation at the World Cup.
Spain took the lead through the luck of own goal by veteran defender, Sergei Ignasevich, to score on 12 minutes.
The big man concerned himself with grabbing Sergio Ramos with his eyes off the ball, and Asensio’s free kick hit the 38-year old’s leg before nestling into the other side of keeper Igor Akinfeev’s goal.
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The 2010 World Cup champions who completed over 1000 passes in the game were content with a possession-based game, but the capacity Russian crowd were having none of it and the hists’ players responded with two chances from which one was converted. Aleksandr Golovin curled just wide of the right post from inside the area ten minutes before half time, while Dzyuba earned his nation a penalty- the 26th of the tournament- on 41 minutes when Pique’s outstretched hand blocked his thumping header from a corner kick.
The big centre forward picked up the ball and sent De Gea, who has now conceded six goals from from seven shots on target, the wrong way to earn Russia a deserved equalizer at half time.
Spain dominated the second half from the start and went close thrice in the opening 15 minutes, Diego Costa twice and Isco, who mesmerized the Russians all day, saw his shot blocked. Their next opportunity came in the 85th minute through substitutes Iniesta and Iago Aspas and it drew a double save from Akinfeev.
The first ever fourth substitute at any FIFA-organized tournament was introduced by Russia six minutes into extra time, Aleksandr Erokhin coming on for Kuzyaev, and Marco Ansensio’s shot was saved before going off for Rodrigo. The striker had two good chances to win it for Spain but Akinfeev was equal to the task, while VAR saved the hosts from conceding a penalty as they dragged the match into shoot out after 120 minutes. Man-of-the-match, Akinfeev, saved from both Koke and Aspas to hand Russia a 4-2 win on penalties to enter the quarter finals of their tournament.
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