Russia defied all odds to force Spain to a penalty shootout that saw it edge out the former World Cup champion to occupy a spot in the quarter finals.   Igor Akinfeev  made two saves to give host Russia the 4-3 win.

It was the first match of the current World Cup that had to be decided by a penalty shootout.  It didn’t help that Spain enjoyed almost 80 per cent of possession of the game and that it took an early lead when veteran defender Sergei  Ignashevich inadvertently diverted the ball into his own goal from Marco Asensio’s free-kick from the right flank in the 12^th minute.

Artem Dzyuba equalized for Russia in the 41^st minute with a penalty kick.  Though Spain dominated the game, the Spaniards lacked the finishing touch and were forced to decide the game with a penalty shootout.