Heroic hosts shock Spain in shootout

Russia vanquished Spain on punishments to win triumph after the debut shootout of the 2018 FIFA World Cup™. Koke saw his exertion spared by Igor Akinfeev, before Iago Aspas' unsuccessful spot kick sent the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow into insanity.

It had all begun so well for La Roja - who hushed the Luzhniki in the opening minutes - a set-piece giving the chance to Spain to lead the pack. Sergio Ramos demonstrated an annoyance to Sergei Ignashevich, and the veteran protector transformed the ball into his own net.

Be that as it may, Russia did not shrink in the sticky Moscow evening. The imperious Artem Dzyuba delighted in his fight with Ramos and Gerard Pique, and another of his triumphant conflicts against the last brought about the Barcelona man taking care of inside the case. Dzyuba himself ventured up and sent David De Gea the wrong way.

The second half subsided into an example of Spanish ownership and Russian counter-assaults, however adjacent to a late spare by Akinfeev from Andres Iniesta, neither one of the sides looked prepared to win in ordinary time. An overcome guarded execution from Russia in additional time earned them a punishment shootout against the 2010 champs, where Akinfeev was at last the saint.



Group Reporter Analysis 

Antia Andre with Spain 

Spain merited more from the 120 minutes. They controlled the amusement from the begin however diligent work by the Russian safeguards made their activity amazingly troublesome. Notwithstanding the great first half for La Roja with the claim objective, the punishment changed things. Andres Iniesta's presentation additionally modified the example of play, with Spain looking more certain after his passage. De Gea couldn't keep out the Russians, while Koke and Aspas were unsuccessful from the spot.

Igor Borunov with Russia

Russia breathed life into the arrangement for this diversion with persistence and assurance despite the fact that it had all begun as a bad dream with a claim objective by Sergei Ignashevich under strain from Sergio Ramos. The tall striker Artem Dzyuba won relatively every aeronautical fight including one which prompted a punishment, changed over by the No22. The diversion went to a stalemate after the break with the two groups playing their contradicting styles, yet being not able score in the second 50% of typical time, or the additional time that took after. Russia spent nearly the total of additional time protecting, however held firm to win a shootout - with a fantasy, dream finishing for the hosts.

Budweiser Man of the Match 

Igor Akinfeev ensured his own part in the narrative of Russia 2018 with two recoveries to deny the Spaniards in the shootout, sending the unflinching hosts into the quarter-finals against the chances.

The Stat 

1 punishment shootout for Russia ever of World Cup, and their first historically speaking triumph. Spain lost their third World Cup punishment shootout - having been fruitful from the spot just once in worldwide finals history.