Full-time analysis: 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.
Extra TimeRussian goalkeeper made two heroics saves to stop Spain from advancing to the round of 8.
Spain vs Russia started with the casual Spain possession antics with Russia making strides to counter them by pressing. Russia was most active in the wings with Golovin leading the charge. Spain were making advances with some good midfield playing with Isco leading the players. In the 11th minute, a fatal mistake by Sergei Ignashevich gave Spain the lead. Ignashevich was under pressure from Sergio Ramos and wrongly put the ball in his own net.
The momentum of the match then shifted to Spain attacking with their typical midfield playing. However, by the end of the first half, Russia started attacking more with an intent. They almost scored with a short from Golovin who failed to give the ball a proper bend. Pique committed a handball just inside the penalty area which leads to a Russia being awarded a penalty. Dzyuba equalised for Russia with a cool strike.
The 2nd half was all about Spanish possession and Russia's defensive masterclass. Spain had 1194 passes in the game and Russia had only 290 passes. Spain had over 79% possession by the end.
The match clearly shows that having mere possession is not the main thing as Spain had struggled to win another goal. The predictability of Tiki Taka has been well exposed in recent tournament and defenders are now more aware how to stop the attack.
The World Cup loss marks the last match Andres Iniesta would play for his country.
The match clearly shows Spain need a new strategy and gameplay in the coming tournaments and just can't rely on mere possession football. Whereas for Russia, they would create havoc for teams if they continue with this determination.
Updates
The macth has headed for penalties
105 min: The 1st of extra time ends with the socres tied at 1-1.
95 min: Spain are enjoyijng possesion and are attacking in numbers. Russia are holding on.
Updates:
90 min: The scores are tied at the 90th minute. Extra time awaits to find a winner.
72 min: Spain are doing their usual Tiki Taka but are not getting any direct chance to score.
54 min: Spain are dominating possesion but lacks that final pass. Meanwhile, Russia are hanging on and hoping to counter.
Half-time analysis: Spain vs Russia started with the casual Spain possession antics with Russia making strides to counter them by pressing. Russia was most active in the wings with Golovin leading the charge. Spain were making advances with some good midfield playing with Isco leading the players. In the 11th minute, a fatal mistake by Sergei Ignashevich gave Spain the lead. Ignashevich was under pressure from Sergio Ramos and wrongly put the ball in his own net.
The entropy of the match then shifted to Spain attacking with their typical midfield playing. However, by the end of the first half, Russia started attacking more with an intent. They almost scored with a short from Golovin who failed to give the ball a proper bend. Pique committed a handball just inside the penalty area which leads to a Russia being awarded a penalty. Dzyuba equalised for Russia with a cool strike. The match is all set for the 2nd half with nothing to separate both the teams.
Trivia:
Artem Dzyuba has been directly involved in four of Russia's last seven World Cup goals, scoring three and assisting another.
Russia are the first team to score multiple own goals in a World Cup tournament since 1966, when Bulgaria conceded two.
Sergei Ignashevich is the oldest ever player to score an own goal in a World Cup match.
Spain have scored in each of their last 23 games in all competitions (67 in total), their longest ever run.
Spain have scored 10 goals in their last three games against Russia (7 in two games at Euro 2008, 3 in a friendly in November 2017).
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