Russia shock Spain, knock off giants in penalty shootout

Final score: Russia 1-1 Spain, Russia wins penalty shootout 4-3

In the end, it was the foot of Igor Akinfeev that was the difference.

Spain completed over 1000 passes, scored a goal early (or well, got an own goal from Russia), thought couldn’t put the hosts away in a match they were fully expected to win.

There were plenty of (deserved) shouts that the game was boring, as for much of the 120 minutes leading up to the shootout, Spain seemed content to possess the ball and not do much of anything else. Russia didn’t have any chances, really, like at all, until the Pique handball gave them the penalty they needed to equalize. From there, they defended like crazy, took a couple chances on

Spain will be left scratching their heads and wondering where any sense of urgency was. Other than a few spells of determined play, the team was too often happy to merely move the ball around the midfield and defense. Russia, for their part, were happy to allow Spain to do that, and hustled endlessly (some might say suspiciously well) to stay organized, close down passes, and protect the net.

They got to a penalty shootout, and all four Russian shooter converted their opportunities. After Akinfeev saved Koke’s attempt, it came down to Iago Aspas, who fired down the middle, just leaving enough of the ball that Akinfeev was able to get his trailing foot on it and keep the shot out.

It wasn’t pretty. Russia sure as hell don’t care.

Highlights:

120 + 1’ — Full time, and we’re going to a penalty shootout.

How else could it end? Get caught up on World Cup penalty shootout rules.

115’ — Spain are appealing for a penalty, after it appeared both Sergio Ramos and Pique got dragged down in the box. The ref consults with the replay officials, and then waves play on. It also started raining, because apparently the heavens are weeping at this site.

105’ — Halfway through extra time. No one scored.

91’ — And we’re off for extra time. Please score. Someone.

90 + 4’ The ref blows his whistle, the score is 1-1, and we’re headed to extra time.

Welp. I guess we’re getting more of this game. Great. Grand. Wonderful. Get a refresher on how World Cup overtime rules work.

88’ — Something happened! Well, Iniesta had a shot, and Akinfeev saved it. This is highlight worthy because hoo boy this game has been a snoozer.

82’ — Spain are doing a great job killing off this game, but someone might want to inform them that they aren’t winning.

71’ — This game ... has not opened up. Spain seem content to possess and pass around, Russia seem content to work their tails off defensively and stay behind the ball. Spain move the ball around, Russia win it, try to counter, and fail. Repeat.

46’ — And we’re off in the second half. Russia made one switch at the break, bringing on Granat for Yuri Zhirkov.

HALFTIME — Spain 1 - Russia 1

41’ — THERE’S THE RUSSIA GOAL. DZYUBA FROM THE SPOT. Spain 1 - Russia 1

Pique is shown a yellow card for a handball in the box, Russia are awarded a penalty, and Dzyuba converts. We got a game!

Russia equalizes!
Pique gets called for a handball in the box and Dzyuba buries the penalty to make it 1-1 just before halftime. pic.twitter.com/VYngWu0aTS
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 1, 2018

36’ — Golovin with a GREAT chance, but he can’t get the curve right and pushes the ball just wide. This game is begging for a Russia goal.

29’ — We’ve settled into a bit of a rhythm here with Spain dominating possession like we thought they would. Russia are pressing well, and not letting Spain get the ball into dangerous areas often, but when Russia win the ball they aren’t getting enough men forward, seem content to push the ball wide, and then are trying and failing to send in crosses. Spain are really good at this whole thing.

12’ — GOAL! AND IT’S AN OWN GOAL, THOUGH SERGIO RAMOS IS CLAIMING IT. Spain 1 - Russia 0

Spain are awarded a free kick on the right side of the box, send a ball in, and Sergio Ramos, while being tackled by Ignashevich, maybe gets a foot on it? Or maybe it went in off the defender? It doesn’t matter, Spain will take it.

1’ — And we’re off!

The Round of 16 continues when Spain and Russia face off for a spot in the quarterfinals on Sunday. Kickoff is set for 10 a.m. ET at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia, and you can watch it on FOX and Telemundo. Online streaming is also available in English through FOX Sports Go here or in Spanish through Telemundo here.

In the 2014 World Cup, both Spain and Russia did not advance past the group stage. For Spain, then the defending champions this was a letdown. This time around, both teams look for more success. The winner of this match will face the winner between Croatia and Denmark.

Spain and Russia Lineups

Russia going very defensive for this match, with the one semi-surprise being that Denis Cheryshev has gone to the bench. For Spain, the big change is no Iniesta, with Koke being introduced into the midfield.

Spain vs. Russia Time, TV channel, and streaming info

Time: 10 a.m. ET

Location: Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, Russia

TV: FOX (English), Telemundo (Spanish)

Streaming: Watch the game on Fox Sports Go (English) and Telemundo Deportes en vivo (Spanish) for free if you sign in with your TV provider. It’s also on subscription services like Fubo and Hulu.

Odds: Spain -0.75 (Full odds at OddsShark)

For listings from more countries, check out Live Soccer TV.

Spain vs. Russia news to read before kickoff

Spain won a World Cup in 2010, but before that, hoo buddy

It’s good to have Spain back, isn’t it? For those of you coming to the sport more recently, this thing Spain, who play Portugal today at 2 p.m. ET, have been doing — being good, winning major tournaments — isn’t normal. They were, for many long years, international football’s greatest underachievers: into every tournament as potential dark horses, then out again early, after finding a new way to look like donkeys.

One word to describe each of the remaining World Cup teams

Here we go, then. Half the teams gone. Three-quarters of the games over. The World Cup is starting to narrow, to sharpen. We are approaching the omega point, beyond which only one team will exist in any meaningful sense. The rest will be defeated, discarded, and done.

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