Russia reaches last 8 as Spain pays the penalty
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HOST Russia beat Spain 4-3 on penalties yesterday to advance to the World Cup quarterfinals where it will face either Denmark or Croatia.
Russia goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev saved Koke’s and Iago Aspas’ spot kicks in their first ever penalty shootout to send the host through following a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes.
Spain, which has never beaten a host at World Cups or Euros, went ahead after 12 minutes when 38-year-old Sergei Ignashevich bundled into Spain captain Sergio Ramos at the far post, knocking a free kick in with his heel for the 10th own goal of the tournament.
The 2010 world champion controlled the game with its slick passing but did little more, failing to create another scoring chance in the first half.
Russia looked equally toothless up front, with Aleksandr Golovin’s curled effort its only noteworthy opportunity until Gerard Pique’s handball gave it a chance to level with a penalty in the 42nd minute.
Forward Artem Dzyuba buried it for his third goal of the tournament, sending Spain ‘keeper David de Gea the wrong way to equalize and awaken the subdued 78,000 crowd in Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium.
The game lacked pace and tempo even after the break with both teams cautious not to concede too much space and the Russians playing without an out-and-out striker after the substitution of Dzyuba.
Despite 75 percent possession, Spain’s famed tiki-taka passing game rarely carried it into the box and it had to wait until the 85th minute to test Akinfeev with a low drive from substitute Andres Iniesta.
Having long run out of steam and with several players cramping, Russia was reduced to desperately defending in extra time as Spain, which played more than four times the number of passes, still struggled to slice open the Russian defense.
Akinfeev came to the rescue again to deny Rodrigo after his fine sprint in the second half of extra time before becoming a national hero by saving the two spot kicks to send the host past the former world champion
Meanwhile, so many favorites have been eliminated already from the World Cup that Brazil, trying to make amends for its disappointing 2014 tournament, now has a strong shot at leaving Russia with a sixth title.
Brazil faces Mexico in the round of 16 today at Samara Arena, and with Germany, Argentina, Spain and Portugal already eliminated, a victory would make the five-time World Cup champion one of the top bets to take the title. Brazil was in a similar position four years ago when it hosted the World Cup but was humiliated 1-7 by eventual winner Germany in the semifinals.
Danilo is available to play for Brazil after missing the team’s last two matches with a right hip injury, but Marcelo, who left early in the group stage finale against Serbia with back spasms, is out. So is winger Douglas Costa with a thigh injury.
Mexico, meanwhile, is seeking the elusive “quinto partido” — fifth game, a trip to the quarterfinals — for the first time since 1986. El Tri has made it to the round of 16 for the past six tournaments, only to stall at that stage.
Mexico pulled off an upset by beating Germany 1-0 in the group opener for its first victory over the four-time champion in a competitive match.
“We’re motivated by the fact that we’re in the knockout stage, facing Brazil and one victory from reaching the fifth game,” Mexico captain Andres Guardado said. “It’s in our hands.”
Brazil has reached at least the quarterfinals in the last six tournaments and advanced to three finals, winning two. The expectations are mounting, as well as intense pressure, but midfielder Casemiro said Germany’s early ouster was an eye-opener for all the top teams. Still, the squad is trying to stay loose.
“We are relaxed about it. All our players are top class, their clubs are always favorites,” Casemiro said. “We are already accustomed to the pressure. We always have respect, tranquility and humility. We have to play football to beat Mexico.”
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