FIFA World Cup 2018: Russia kicks Spain out
The hosts Russia sprang a surprise kicking out former World Champions Spain in penalty shootout as 30 minutes of extra time in addition to 90 minutes of regulation period failed to resolve 1-1 deadlock in the FIFA World Cup 2018 pre quarter-final on Sunday.
Hero of the day was goalkeeper Akinfeev, whose record in making saves from penalties in international soccer, before the start of today's shootout, stood at 18. Compared to him the goalkeeper of Spain, De Gae, had 12 saves to his credit.
Koke and Aspas were unable to score for Spain while for the hosts Russia all four - Smolov, Ignashevich, Golovin and Denis Cheryshev - were successful in getting past De Gae.
The penalty shootout win for Russia reasserted the historic fact that the hosts always succeed in breaking the tie. Korea did it in 2002.
Playing a disciplined game, Russians, playing their first ever knock out match in the history of World Cup, had nothing to lose. It was a game that saw goals scored in normal unusual ways - own goals and penalties. There were no direct goals.
Spain took lead when the hosts conceded an "own" goal, the ninth of the tournament. It was Sergei Igashevic whose heels deflected the ball past helpless Akinfeev into the Russian goal. It came in the 12th minute.
In the 41st minute, it was Pique, while jumping to head, had his arm raised to touch the ball. The resultant penalty saw Dzyuba slotting the ball in direction opposite to the dive of goalkeeper De Gae.
For the remaining 49 minutes of the game besides the injury time failed to change the goalie. Thirty minutes of extra time, to, went unproductive.
The game had to be decided by penalties and Spain again made a winning start by converting the first penalty. But it was the day of the hosts. Spain had to bow out, beaten 3-4 in the penalties.
Spain thus joined Germany and Argentina on the sidelines.
