Russia went into this match with a history they don’t wanna look at. They have never beaten Spain ever since the breakup of Soviet Union. But then there is always a day where records are tumbled and it was today for Russia. But they had to sweat a lot to get there and in the end it was Akinfeev’s goalkeeping heroics that saved them,
see also: FIFA World Cup 2018: Mbappe’s Twin Strikes Help France Crush Argentina.
It was on the 12th minute that Spain took the lead. Ignashevich scored an own goal, La Roja are ahead in the contest as Ignashevich puts the ball into his own net. The delivery from Isco from the free-kick had Russia defender in all sorts of trouble. He resorted to drag Ramos to the ground at the back, The ball struck his heel in the process of their grappling and from close range it left Akinfeev with no chance to stop it finding the net.
Score Russia 0 – Spain 1
Just 4 minutes before the closure of the first half Artem Dzyuba scored a goal through a penalty. Dzuyba held his composure as he slotted his effort into the bottom corner, sending De Gea the wrong way. At the end of 90 minutes with no team gaining a lead, the match went to extra time. As it turned out, the extra time went goalless and eventually it all came down to Shootout. Score Russia 1 – Spain 1
PENALTY SHOOTOUT
By the time the penalty shootout started, it was pouring down heavily and knowing how to manage the wet slippery goal was going to be key. It was spain who took the first kick and Spain’s most experienced Iniesta made no mistake to make it 1- 0 in Spain’s favour. Gerad Pique, and Sergio Ramos scored for Spain, but then Akinfeev made key save at the right time to win it 4 – 3 in penalty for Russia. Koke and Iago Aspas missed the target. It was all about the composure of AKinfeev. Well done, Russia.
We will soon be back with video of the goals
Post Your Comments