MOSCOW — Russia shockingly eliminated Spain from the World Cup, surviving two hours of dominance by the 2010 champions in a 1-1 draw and then winning a penalty shootout 4-3.

Russia’s captain and goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev saved spot-kicks from Jorge “Koke” Resurreccion and Iago Aspas, while all four Russian shooters scored.

Akinfeev used his trailing left foot to kick the ball high away from the goal on Spain’s last attempt by Aspas. The veteran goalkeeper leapt up, punched the air with both hands and leapt into a surfing, belly flop dive on to the rain-soaked turf as teammates raced to him from the halfway line.

The World Cup’s lowest-ranked team now advances a quarterfinal against Croatia in Sochi on Sunday.

“I just feel emptied out,” Akinfeev said. “Over the whole second half and extra time we were defending our goal and managed it, we were hoping for penalties because Spain are hard to beat. Spain can’t always be lucky.”

It gave Russia its greatest win in international soccer for 10 years, since Akinfeev was in goal for an extra-time victory over the Netherlands in a European Championship quarterfinal. That run was ended days later by a Spain team beginning its era of dominance.

Spain has now failed to win a knockout game at three major tournaments since it won Euro 2012.
• This week’s Sports TV best bets for July 2-8
• Mexico clashes with Brazil in World Cup round of 16
• 2018 World Cup round of 16 preview: Mexico must get past powerhouse Brazil Defeat Sunday likely spells the end of Andres Iniesta’s career. The veteran Barcelona midfielder came off the bench and almost won the game with an 85th-minute shot well saved by Akinfeev. Iniesta also scored the first spot-kick of the shootout.

Spain was more urgent in extra time after being too passive when it dominated the ball in the 90 minutes of regular time.

Akinfeev pushed away a 109th-minute shot from substitute Rodrigo who ran hard at goal from near the halfway line. He also ensured the game needed 30 extra minutes with back-to-back diving saves in the 85th to deny substitutes Iniesta and Aspas.

Spain dominated the ball during the game — completing more than 1,000 passes — but was too passive against a well-organized Russian defense.

Spain led in the 12th minute when captain Sergio Ramos helped force Russia’s Sergei Ignashevich into an own goal when his back was turned to the play. The 38-year-old defender diverted a crossed ball into the net with his heel as he and Ramos got tangled up.

An error in Spain’s defense let Russia level in the 41st, after Gerard Pique’s raised arm blocked a header by Artyom Dzyuba at a corner. Pique’s complaints were wasted. Referees and video officials have consistently penalized handballs in the box at this World Cup.</s>Russia sensationally knocked Spain out of the World Cup after coming out on top of a knee-knocking penalty shootout.

Missed penalties from Koke and Iago Aspas ensured Russia progressed to the last eight for the first time in its history, sparking joyous celebrations at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium.

For all its possession and territory, the former world champion was far from convincing against a disciplined Russian side.

Arten Dzyuba's penalty before the break negated Sergey Ignashevich's 12th-minute own goal and from there on in the Russians refused to cave, forcing the match into a penalty shootout after it had ended 1-1 following 120 minutes of play.

The lowest-ranked team coming into this tournament and considered by some as the worst side in the country's history, the Russians surprised many by not only reaching the last 16 but doing so comfortably, steamrolling Saudi Arabia and Egypt and scoring eight goals in three games.

Striker Dzyuba had described Sunday's last-16 encounter as a "match of a lifetime" and spoke of how the players needed to "die on the pitch" to have a chance of overcoming the 2010 World Champions.

Buoyed by a partisan crowed, the home team gave it their all and there were tired Russian bodies aplenty after a stubborn defensive display took the tie to extra time and penalties.

In the end, it was another astonishing result in a competition which has seen Germany, Argentina and also Portugal depart already and increases the likelihood of a first-time winner lifting the trophy.

Pass marks

At times, it seemed as if the Russians were going to be killed by a hundred passes as La Rojo displayed a mastery of the ball for which the two-time European champion is renowned. By the end of the match the Spaniards had completed over a 1000 passes.

But despite being blessed with a wealth of talent Spain has also failed to overwhelm opponents in this tournament, drawing with Portugal and Morocco in the group stage.

The Spaniards went ahead in the 12th minute when Ignashevich backheeled the ball into his own net while attempting to rugby tackle Sergio Ramos to the ground as Marco Aesnsio guided a freekick towards the far post.

Falling behind so early seemed to signal the beginning of the end for a Russian team playing five men in defense, but despite being starved of possession the Russians hit back before the break.

Gerard Pique, beaten in the air by Dzyuba, stuck his arm up as the Russian headed towards the goal and the referee needed little time in awarding a penalty for handball.

Dzyuba converted from the spot and it proved to be a costly mistake from the Barcelona defender as the rest of the match turned into defense versus attack with Russia's defenders, ultimately, coming out on top.

More to follow...</s>MOSCOW — Russia shockingly eliminated Spain from the World Cup, surviving two hours of dominance by the 2010 champions in a 1-1 draw and then winning a penalty shootout 4-3.

Russia’s captain and goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev saved spot-kicks from Jorge “Koke” Resurreccion and Iago Aspas, while all four Russian shooters scored.

Akinfeev used his trailing left foot to kick the ball high away from the goal on Spain’s last attempt by Aspas. The veteran goalkeeper leapt up, punched the air with both hands and leapt into a surfing, belly flop dive on to the rain-soaked turf as teammates raced to him from the halfway line.

The World Cup’s lowest-ranked team now advances a quarterfinal against Croatia in Sochi on Sunday.

“I just feel emptied out,” Akinfeev said. “Over the whole second half and extra time we were defending our goal and managed it, we were hoping for penalties because Spain are hard to beat. Spain can’t always be lucky.”

It gave Russia its greatest win in international soccer for 10 years, since Akinfeev was in goal for an extra-time victory over the Netherlands in a European Championship quarterfinal. That run was ended days later by a Spain team beginning its era of dominance.

Spain has now failed to win a knockout game at three major tournaments since it won Euro 2012.
• This week’s Sports TV best bets for July 2-8
• Mexico clashes with Brazil in World Cup round of 16
• 2018 World Cup round of 16 preview: Mexico must get past powerhouse Brazil Defeat Sunday likely spells the end of Andres Iniesta’s career. The veteran Barcelona midfielder came off the bench and almost won the game with an 85th-minute shot well saved by Akinfeev. Iniesta also scored the first spot-kick of the shootout.

Spain was more urgent in extra time after being too passive when it dominated the ball in the 90 minutes of regular time.

Akinfeev pushed away a 109th-minute shot from substitute Rodrigo who ran hard at goal from near the halfway line. He also ensured the game needed 30 extra minutes with back-to-back diving saves in the 85th to deny substitutes Iniesta and Aspas.

Spain dominated the ball during the game — completing more than 1,000 passes — but was too passive against a well-organized Russian defense.

Spain led in the 12th minute when captain Sergio Ramos helped force Russia’s Sergei Ignashevich into an own goal when his back was turned to the play. The 38-year-old defender diverted a crossed ball into the net with his heel as he and Ramos got tangled up.

An error in Spain’s defense let Russia level in the 41st, after Gerard Pique’s raised arm blocked a header by Artyom Dzyuba at a corner. Pique’s complaints were wasted. Referees and video officials have consistently penalized handballs in the box at this World Cup.</s>In the second straight shootout of the tournament, the Croats advanced to the quarterfinals on Sunday with a 3-2 victory over Denmark on penalties following a 1-1 draw.

Subasic tipped the first penalty of the shootout from Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen onto the post. He then dived to his right to save an attempt from substitute Lasse Schone. Finally, he used his feet to block Nicolai Jorgensen’s attempt.

“He was a hero tonight,” Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic said. “He saved three penalties in a shootout. You don’t see that every day.”

Subasic became only the second goalkeeper to save three penalties in a shootout at the World Cup, matching the feat of Portugal keeper Ricardo against England in 2006.

Croatia will next face host Russia in the quarterfinals on Saturday in Sochi. Russia also advanced on penalties, beating Spain 4-3 following another 1-1 draw.

Croatia had a chance to take the lead late in the game at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, but Luka Modric’s penalty was saved by Kasper Schmeichel. The Denmark goalkeeper, who also saved a pair of penalties in the shootout, dived to his left to smother Modric’s attempt in the 116th minute.

Subasic’s three saves and Schmeichel’s two made it the most combined saves in a World Cup shootout.

Modric, however, made his penalty in the shootout and Ivan Rakitic scored the decider with a shot to the left side of the net as Schmeichel dived the wrong way.

After surviving the shootout, Subasic had to survive the celebration. Domagoj Vida lifted the keeper onto his shoulders as they celebrated the win, and then dropped him.

Croatia entered the match after impressing in the group stage, including a 3-0 dismantling of two-time champion Argentina at the same stadium. But Denmark, unbeaten in 18 games coming into the game, provided tough opposition.

The Danes took the lead in the first minute when defender Mathias Jorgensen scrambled in a shot that went in off Subasic’s left hand and then the left post. It was Denmark’s fastest ever World Cup goal.

Croatia equalized in the fourth minute with another untidy goal. Henrik Dalsgaard’s clearance hit a teammate and fell for Croatia forward Mario Mandzukic to hook the ball in.

The teams stayed even for the next 116 minutes, including the 30 minutes of extra time.

But it was Schmeichel, the son of former Denmark goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel, that sent it to extra time with his penalty save on Modric’s attempt.

The Croats earned the penalty when Ante Rebic was set free on a counterattack and skipped past Schmeichel, only to be fouled from behind by Mathias Jorgensen — the scorer of Denmark’s goal.

Modric’s spot kick was weak, though, and Schmeichel dived to his left to smother it for the first of his three penalty saves.

In the shootout, Schmeichel saved attempts from Milan Badelj and Josip Pivaric.

“I am so sorry for Kasper and the whole team,” Denmark coach Age Hareide said. “That’s just the brutality of football.”</s>Russia upset Spain on Sunday with a penalty-shoot to progress to the quarter-finals of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Into extra-time, after a 1-1 draw and Russia captain, saved two penalties in a dramatic shootout as the World Cup hosts dumped title contenders Spain out in the last 16 following a 1-1 draw.

These are 3 things you should know about the game.

Russia’s win over Spain takes the quarter-final of the 2018 World Cup. This is the first time they have reached this stage since the breakup of the Soviet Union.

Spain have now lost three of their four World Cup penalty shootouts at the World Cup. At Mexico 86 against Belgium, against South Korea at Korea/Japan 2002 and this game.

Spain coach Fernando Hierro’s last game for Spain was the penalty shoot-out loss to South Korea in 2002. He played a penalty during that shoot-out and scored.

Russia’s win over Spain in the penalty-shoot means that host nations have now won each of their last five penalty shoot-outs at the World Cup since Italian 90 when host lost to Argentina in the semi-final.</s>Russia have eliminated Spain from the World Cup in a 4-3 penalty shootout, the hosts winning their last‑16 tie after the sides were locked 1-1 after extra time at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.

An own goal from the Russia defender Sergei Ignashevich gave Spain an early lead. Artem Dzyuba then converted a penalty three minutes before the break to pull the tournament hosts level at half-time.

Their quarter-final opponents will be decided on Sunday night, when Croatia face Denmark in Nizhny Novgorod.

In a World Cup which already broke the record for own goals, Ignashevich made it 10 when the ball deflected off his heal and into his own net in the 12th minute while challenging Sergio Ramos at a free‑kick.

Russia pulled level towards the end of the first half when Dzyuba’s header hit Gerard Piqué’s arm at a corner. Dzyuba hit the spot‑kick hard to David de Gea’s right as the Spanish goalkeeper dived the wrong way.

With neither side able to break the deadlock they went into extra time level at 1-1 after 90 minutes.

Alexander Yerokhin became the first player to be brought on as a fourth substitute during a World Cup game, replacing Daler Kuzyaev in the 97th minute.

Fifa approved the rule in March for an additional substitute in extra time at the World Cup, but had earlier used it at youth tournaments and the 2016 Olympic football tournaments.

Spain made their extra substitution about seven minutes later when Rodrigo Moreno replaced Marco Asensio.

Late in the second half of extra time Spain players charged towards the referee to demand a penalty after Piqué was jostled in the box as he tried to reach a free‑kick. But after consulting VAR the referee ruled out a penalty.

With the deadlock unbroken after extra time, the sides then entered a penalty shootout.</s>Russia shockingly eliminated Spain from the World Cup, surviving two hours of dominance by the 2010 champions in a 1-1 draw and then winning a penalty shootout 4-3 on Sunday.

Russia's captain and goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev saved spot-kicks from Jorge "Koke" Resurreccion and Iago Aspas, while all four Russian shooters scored before thousands of screaming home fans.

Akinfeev used his trailing left foot to kick the ball high away from the goal on Spain's last attempt. The 32-year-old goalkeeper leapt up, punched the air with both hands and dove into a belly flop cross the rain-soaked turf as teammates raced to him from the halfway line.

The World Cup's lowest-ranked team — 70th when the tournament began — now advances to a quarterfinal against Croatia or Denmark in Sochi on Saturday.

A Russian-hosted party many feared would see the home team's hopes end within days now extends into a fourth weekend at the tournament.

"I just feel emptied out," Akinfeev said. "Over the whole second half and extra time we were defending our goal and managed it, we were hoping for penalties because Spain are hard to beat. Spain can't always be lucky."

It gave Russia its greatest win in international soccer for 10 years, since Akinfeev was in goal for an extra-time victory over the Netherlands in a European Championship quarterfinal. That run was ended days later by a Spain team beginning its era of dominance.

Spain has now failed to win a knockout game at three major tournaments since it won the 2012 European championship, its third straight major title after the Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup.

It was too passive a performance by the Spanish, who were ranked 10th and one of the pre-tournament favorites. Turmoil erupted two days before the opening game, when the federation fired the head coach.

"It's painful, there's nothing else we can say," Spain captain Sergio Ramos said. "We left our soul in the pitch."

It is unclear if interim coach Fernando Hierro will continue in the post he did not seek before Julen Lopetegui was sent home. Lopetegui was fired because he had failed to tell the national soccer federation he accepted an offer to coach Real Madrid after the tournament.

Sunday's defeat likely spells the end of Andres Iniesta's national-team career. The 34-year-old Barcelona midfielder came off the bench and almost won the game with an 85th-minute shot well saved by Akinfeev. Iniesta also scored the first spot-kick of the shootout.

Spain was more urgent in extra time after being too passive when it dominated the ball in the 90 minutes of regular time.

Akinfeev pushed away a 109th-minute shot from substitute Rodrigo who ran hard at goal from near the halfway line. He also ensured the game needed 30 extra minutes with back-to-back diving saves in the 85th to deny substitutes Iniesta and Aspas.

Spain dominated the ball during the game — completing more than 1,000 passes — but rarely threatened a well-organized Russian defense.

Spain led in the 12th minute when Ramos helped force Russia's Sergei Ignashevich into an own goal when his back was turned to the play. The 38-year-old defender diverted a crossed ball into the net with his heel as he and Ramos got tangled up.

An error in Spain's defense let Russia level in the 41st, after Gerard Pique's raised arm blocked a header by Artyom Dzyuba at a corner. Pique's complaints were wasted. Referees and video officials have consistently penalized handballs in the box at this World Cup.

Dzyuba's penalty kick fooled goalkeeper David De Gea to dive the wrong way.

The noisy 78,000-capacity Luzhniki Stadium has been good for Russia at this tournament, which kicked off here with a 5-0 win over Saudi Arabia. That defied expectations for the home team, and Russia's path to the final also includes a potential semifinal here.

King Felipe VI of Spain was at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. The king is a soccer fan who, as crown prince, attended the 2010 World Cup final in Johannesburg to see Spain beat the Netherlands 1-0 in extra time.

Russia was represented by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, who was on his feet and leaning on a protective barrier to watch the shootout.

World Cup history was made with the first use of a fourth substitute, which FIFA now allows teams to have one more sub in extra time. Russia's Alexander Yerokhin went on in the 97th minute against Spain, replacing fellow midfielder Daler Kuzyaev. The rule is aimed at reducing injuries and allowing higher-quality play in extra time, when players are most tired.</s>Russia have eliminated 2010 World Cup winners Spain in the tournament’s first penalty shootout to secure a spot in the last eight of the competition.

Fernando Hierro’s side started positively at Luzhniki Stadium and broke the deadlock as Sergei Ignashevich directed the ball into his own net from a free-kick.

Sergio Ramos claimed the goal but replays showed that Ignashevich got the final touch with his heel as he battled the Real Madrid defender inside the box.

Spain enjoyed the majority of the possession as half-time approached but were unable to penetrate Russia’s well-organised defence and were punished in the 41st minute.

A Russian header from corner struck Gerard Pique’s outstretched arm inside the penalty area and Artem Dzyuba scored with the resulting spot-kick.

The hosts kept Spain at bay as the clash neared the end of normal time but substitute Andres Iniesta came close to scoring with a speculative shot from close-range.

However, Iniesta’s effort was parried away by Igor Akinfeev and extra time was called in Moscow.

The first half of extra time was dominated by Spain again, with Isco at the forefront of the attacks but still unable to generate any clear cut opportunities. The best chance was Asensio’s long-range strike which fell right into Igor Akinfeev’s hands.

Valencia’s Rodrigo added some much-needed energy to the wilting Spanish attack during the final 15 minutes, but again Hierro’s side were unable to find a way through as the Russians sat deep and defended until the eventual penalty shootout was called by the referee.

Andres Iniesta put the hosts ahead 1-0 from the spot, but Fyodor Smolov returned fire for Russia despite a hand from David De Gea in goal.

Pique was next up for the 2010 winners, and he buried his with ease into the bottom left corner. Sergei Ignashevich scored his moments later, and the score remained 2-2.

However, Koke’ s penalty was saved by Akinfeev before Aleksandr Golovin fired the hosts ahead 3-2.

The responsibility then fell on Ramos’ shoulders and he delivered, rifling his penalty in the net.

But it didn’t matter, Denis Cheryshev scored Russia’s fourth before Iago Aspas’ spotkick was again saved by Akinfeev, sending Spain packing.

Russia will now face either Croatia or Denmark in the quarter-final, the first time they have reached the last eight since 1970.

MORE: Inter to intensify pursuit of Dembele after meeting FFP requirements</s>Moscow, July 1 (IANS) Hosts Russia stunned pre-tournament favourites Spain 4-2 (1-1) via penalty shootouts here on Sunday to enter the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup 2018.

Earlier, Russia’s Sergei Ignashevich’s own goal in the 12th minute opened Spain’s account before Artem Dzyuba struck in the 41st minute to equalise the issue.

In the penalty shootout, Koke and Lago Aspas missed their attempts for Spain while the Russians converted their first four spot kicks.</s>MOSCOW — Russia shockingly eliminated Spain from the World Cup, surviving two hours of dominance by the 2010 champions in a 1-1 draw and then winning a penalty shootout 4-3 on Sunday.

Russia's captain and goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev saved spot-kicks from Jorge "Koke" Resurreccion and Iago Aspas, while all four Russian shooters scored before thousands of screaming home fans.

Akinfeev used his trailing left foot to kick the ball high away from the goal on Spain's last attempt. The 32-year-old goalkeeper leapt up, punched the air with both hands and dove into a belly flop cross the rain-soaked turf as teammates raced to him from the halfway line.

The World Cup's lowest-ranked team — 70th when the tournament began — now advances to a quarterfinal against Croatia or Denmark in Sochi on Saturday.
Russia knocks out Spain from the World Cup after winning a penalty shootout.