Another big nation is out of the 2018 FIFA World Cup after Russia used a penalty shootout to get the better of Spain in their round of 16 match in Moscow.
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Spain dominated the contest from start to finish in every key stat except the scoreboard, with the former World Cup champions struggling to make the most of their possession.
The Spanish had three times the amount of shots at goal as their opponents, as well as almost 80 per cent possession and six corners across the course of the contest, as well as 700 more passes.
It came to nothing though, with the only goal being scored in the 11th minute in the form of an own goal as Sergei Ignashevich got a touch on the ball in the box, deflecting into the back of the net.
The next 20 or so minutes saw Russia at their most attacking for the entire game as they tried to equalise the contest, and it eventually came with a penalty. A cross onto the head of Aleksandar Golovin canned onto the wrist of Pique, with the referee pointing to the spot and showing the Spanish player a yellow card.
With Artem Dzyuba then stepping up and icing the penalty, the game was level again and would remain that way heading into the halftime break.
The status quo would remain during the second half despite the dominance of Spain, with Russia seemingly almost playing for extra time and a shootout, which they eventually got.
After two penalties were iced by either side, Koke would miss a penalty for Spain, putting them behind 3-2 when Golovin stepped up straight afterwards and kept Russia’s unblemished record at the strike.
Iago Aspas would miss another penalty for Spain just two shots later and with Igor Akinfeev the hero, Russia held onto qualify.
Russia now move into the quarter finals where they will face the winner of Croatia and Denmark on the weekend.
Spain 1 (3)
Russia 1 (4)
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