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 12th minute.
Russia’s players celebrate their victory at the end of the Russia 2018 World Cup round of 16 football match between Spain and Russia at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on July 1, 2018.
Artem Dzyuba equalized for Russia in the 41st 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.
