One of the biggest sensations of the World Cup was recorded - the hosts Russians eliminated the Spanish national team after an 11-meter penalty shootout.
The Spanish national team, which struggled to create chances in attack, failed to defeat the opponents during regular time and extra time. However, in the penalty shootout, after a 1-1 draw, Igor Akinfeev shone, saving two shots and sending his team to the quarter-finals of the tournament.
After about ten minutes played on the edge of the penalty area, Yuri Zhirkov committed a foul and the Spanish raised the ball into the penalty box, where Sergio Ramos and Sergei Ignashevich fought for it. Unfortunately for the Russian, the flying ball hit the falling defender's foot and bounced into the Russian national team's goal, so after 12 minutes played, the Spanish took the lead 1-0.
After conceding a goal, the Spanish national team took control of the ball for longer, but played very passively and didn't pose any danger to the opponents' goal, which the Russians took advantage of. In the 36th minute, Alexander Golovin failed to score, but four minutes later, after a corner kick by Artem Dzyuba, the ball hit Gerardo Pique's raised hand, and the referee awarded a penalty kick. A. Dzyuba confidently converted it to equalize the score.
After missing the goal, the Spanish national team began to play more actively and tried to regain the lead at the end of the first half. However, opponents blocked Isco's shot, and Diego Costa's two attempts were saved by the Russian goalkeeper.
At the end of the first half, the score was tied at 1-1.
In the second half, the Spaniards continued to control the ball for longer, but had to wait until the 85th minute for the first dangerous chances of the half. Getting the ball beside the penalty area, Andres Iniesta took a shot at goal, but Igor Akinfeev managed to deal with both his shot and the rebound by Iago Aspas.
During the added time of the second half, the Russians attempted to block the Spaniards, but Fyodor Smolov failed to hit the goal area.
During the main match, the teams failed to secure a victory, so extra time was played - two halves of 15 minutes each.
During extra time, the Spaniards continued to unsuccessfully try to break through the Russian defensive barrier, while the hosts themselves barely thought about attacking. In the 100th minute, Marco Asensio tried a long-range shot, but it went straight to the Russian goalkeeper, so after 105 minutes of play, the score was still tied at 1-1.
In the 109th minute, Rodrigo demonstrated his skills, outplaying several Russian players and making a shot near the goal, which was saved by I. Akinfeev. He tried to send the loose ball into the goal, but his attempt was blocked by a Russian defender.
With five minutes left to play after the penalty shootout, the Spaniards demanded a penalty kick, but neither the referee nor the VAR team saw a foul in the Russian defense.
At the end of extra time, Spanish mistakes provided opportunities for the Russians, but they failed to score. In the final minute of extra time, Rodrigo attempted a long shot, but failed to score, so both teams had to participate in an 11-meter penalty shootout.
Andres Iniesta began the penalty shootout confidently, but David de Gea touched Fedor Smolov's shot, but couldn't stop it. Later, G. Pique and S. Ignashevich scored accurately, until Koke's attempt was stopped by I. Akinfeev.
Having gained an advantage, the Russians continued to shoot confidently: A. Golovin and D. Cheryshev hit the goal, while I. Akinfeev stopped I. Aspas's shot and eliminated the Spanish national team from further competition.
#RUS live on!
The Luzhniki has exploded into a sea of celebrations. The hosts are into the quarter-finals!#ESPRUS pic.twitter.com/tXt1IvxVdN — FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 1, 2018
