Russia Beat Spain To Land Quarter-final Spot

Russia 2018 has been an interesting one as each team battle it hard with each side to gain the ultimate end of day.

In a football game known for own goals and set-piece efforts, Sergei Ignashevich, ticked both boxes when his flick of his heel handed Spain the lead with 12 minutes played.

The 38-year-old was so intent on preventing Spain’s Sergio Ramos from getting on the end of Isco’s free-kick, he lost sight of the ball before unwittingly turning it into his own net.

Despite earlier score at them, host nation Russia refused to give up, persevered hard, got on high speed by the home support as Aleksandr Golovin scored the best sight of goal so far at the tournament.

The excitement of the first half dissipated soon after the restart as the game fell into a rather dull rhythm of Spain dominating possession without truly threatening.

After solid 90 mins of play plus added time, both side couldn’t make it happen. Both team chances on the play of field couldn’t align one team to celebrate for further qualifying. There needed to be an extra time.

There was little change to proceedings in the extra period as Spain continued toying with a deep-lying Russian side. Akinfeev had to deny both Pique and Rodrigo late on, but his real heroics came in the shootout as he saved spotkicks from Koke and Iago Aspas to send Russia into the quarter finals.