Akinfejew becomes a penalty hero: Russia in the quarter-finals!

Igor Akinfeyev gave hosts Russia the sensation they dreamed of at the World Cup and knocked tournament favorites Spain out of the tournament after a game of nerves. In the sold-out Luzhniki Stadium, the goalkeeper saved the last penalty and led his team to a round of 4 victory on Sunday with a 3-120 penalty shootout. After 1 minutes the score was 1-XNUMX. Now the outsider will challenge Croatia or Denmark on Saturday in Sochi.

Russian celebrations after the end of the penalty shootout. © APA/afp / YURI CORTEZ

An own goal puts Spain in the lead Even without playmaker Andrés Iniesta in the starting line-up, the favorite from Spain took control from the start, as expected. The significant increase in ball possession paid off early. After a free kick from Marco Asensio, Russian record international Ignaschewitsch, who was under pressure from Spain's Sergio Ramos, backheeled the ball from close range into his own goal.

For the Spaniards, who were criticized at home after poor performances against Iran (1-0) and Morocco (2-2), it was a perfect start to the game - to the delight of their visiting King Felipe VI. In contrast, the tactics of the Russians, who were primarily concerned with securing goals, were in the round of 1991 for the first time since the end of the Soviet Union in XNUMX and were initially surprisingly without attacker Denis Tscheryshev, quickly seemed obsolete. This own goal gave Spain the lead. © APA/afp / MLADEN ANTONOV

The favorite's unimaginative and slow-paced game structure encouraged the outsider to make more attacks of his own. He came close to scoring for the first time when Alexander Golowin shot just wide of the post (36'). Dzyuba's penalty goal to make it 1-1 after a handball by Gerard Piqué temporarily turned the stadium into a madhouse. At the half-time whistle there was thunderous applause from the stands. Few chances in the second half Even after the restart, the spectators saw a poor round of 23 match. The Spaniards, who had previously been unbeaten in 67 games, increased the pressure, but found no gap in the opponent's well-organized defense. Even Iniesta, who came on as a substitute in the 86th minute, could hardly revive his team's static game, but he still had the only chance of the second half to make it 2-2 in the 1th minute.

Things continued to be similarly sad in extra time. The Russian defense rarely faltered. Therefore the decision had to be made on penalties. In the end, Russia had the better outcome there.

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Akinfejew becomes a penalty hero: Russia in the quarter-finals!

The next favorite is eliminated. Spain failed in the round of 16 of the World Cup against Russia. The host won on penalties.

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