Spain are out of the World Cup
A terrific defensive effort by Russia, who had a plan to defend with five at the back, three battlers, and then take what they could get on the break. Spain had all the ball, and made well over a thousand passes but so what? They piddled about shifting the ball sideways, only when Iniesta came on late did they really try to thread the ball through. Hard lines to Koke and Aspas for being the shootout fall-guys, but ultimately this was about Russia, who gave their all and took their chance when the moment came in the shootout.
90 mins: Spain 1 Russia 1
Four minutes added. It’s the Russians who look far more tired.
58 mins: Spain 1 Russia 1
Nice play Costa. He gets to the byline. Plays it for Isco who should have cracked that first time as he arrived in the box. Tries to dribble and has to settle for the corner.
GOAL! Russia are back in the game. Artem Dzyuba scores from the spot | Spain 1-1 Russia.
Equaliser for #RUS!
Artem Dzyuba is at again, this time slotting home from the penalty spot!#ESPRUS 1-1 pic.twitter.com/kHMik8JurD
— FIFA World Cup ? (@FIFAWorldCup) July 1, 2018
Russia on the attack now. A mix of passes sees Russia get into the Spanish box, Aleksandr Golovin gets the ball and shoots wide of the target. This is the closest they have come so far in the match.
35 minutes are up — It seems Spain, for the time being, have taken a backseat as they are not attacking anymore. Spain’s game at the moment can be defined as pass, pass and pass.
Stat — Ignashevich registers an unwanted record. At 38 years and 352 days, he became the oldest player to score an own goal at the World Cup finals. The previous record was held bu Noel Valladares (37 years and 43 days).
Isco tries to make a cheeky pass to Alba inside the Russian box, but the ball had way too much force as it rolls out of play and beats a diving Alba.
20 minutes are up — Spain still in control of the game and are hardly giving Russia any opportunity to get out of their own half.
GOAL!! Spain get a free-kick. Asensio curls the ball in. Sergio Ramos, who was going towards the ball, is tackled by Sergey Ignashevich, who, in turn, finds the ball hitting the back of his leg and ricocheting inside the Russian goal. This was the 10th own goal of this World Cup. | Spain 1-0 Russia
Ramos is so dangerous off set pieces these days he doesn’t even need to touch the ball… ?#ESPRUS pic.twitter.com/fec0HuFCBc
— FIFA World Cup ? (@FIFAWorldCup) July 1, 2018
Spain midfielder Andres Iniesta drops to the bench for Sunday’s last 16 clash against host nation Russia in Moscow with Koke replacing him as one of three changes for the 2010 champions. Nacho returns for Dani Carvajal at right-back and Marco Asensio is selected ahead of Thiago Alcantara as Spain attempt to end a dreadful record against host nations at major tournaments. They have never won in eight previous attempts, losing seven of those meetings while drawing once. Denis Cheryshev, Russia’s leading scorer in the competition with three goals, is left out by Stanislav Cherchesov, who makes four changes to the team beaten 3-0 by Uruguay. Aleksandr Golovin returns to the side and is expected to take up a role behind towering striker Artem Dzyuba in a conservative 5-3-2 formation.
