Russian Goal Keeper Igor Akinfeev

Russia reach quarter-finals after eliminating Spain

Russian Goal Keeper Igor Akinfeev
Russian Goal Keeper Igor Akinfeev

Sun 01 Jul 2018 World Cup Round of 16 at Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow

Spain 1                                                  Russia 1

Russia win 4-3 on penalties

Hosts Russia pulled off the biggest upset of the 2018 World Cup by beating Spain in the first penalty shootout of the tournament to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in 48 years.

Both teams were locked at 1-1 score, and goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev was Russia’s penalty hero, denying Koke and then Lago Aspas to score.

Russia’s captain is 32 and was winning his 111th cap on the biggest stage.

Spain simply ran out of ideas and joined Germany, Portugal, Argentina, who also made early exits.