Moscow: Russia captain Igor Akinfeev saved two penalties in a dramatic shootout Sunday as the World Cup hosts dumped title contenders Spain out in the last 16 following a 1-1 draw here.
Veteran Russia centre-back Sergei Ignashevich gifted Spain the opening goal in the 12th minute when he unwittingly turned into his own net after grappling with Sergio Ramos. The hosts however hit back just before the interval as Artem Dzyuba nervelessly converted a penalty awarded for a handball by Gerard Pique.
Spain controlled the game as expected but struggled to create genuine chances, with Akinfeev sharp on the few occasions they did before saving from Koke and Iago Aspas to seal a 4-3 win on penalties.
Russia will meet either Croatia or Denmark for a place in the semifinals, as Spain’s rotten run against hosts nation at major tournaments continued.
Fernando Hierro made the bold decision to drop Andres Iniesta for Koke in central midfield, with Marco Asensio handed his first start of the competition.
Russia boss Stanislav Cherchesov left out leading scorer Denis Cheryshev, opting for three central defenders in a conservative 5-3-2 formation.
It was Nacho, in for Dani Carvajal at right-back, who won the free-kick that led to Spain taking the lead as he was caught by Yury Zhirkov to the right of the penalty area. Asensio whipped in dangerously to the far post where the ball looped in off an unsighted Ignashevich as he tussled with Ramos.
Just before the break, a deep corner was met by Dzyuba, whose header struck the outstretched arm of Pique, with referee Bjorn Kuipers contemplating his decision before pointing to the spot. Dzyuba calmly sent De Gea the wrong with his penalty to join Cheryshev on a team-leading three goals.
In spite of substitutions and pressure buildings, the match ended 1-1 after stipulated time that led the game into extra-time, which was also not enough to find out the winners.
The match then headed into shootout where Akinfeev’s heroics sealed an unforgettable victory over the 2010 World Champions to clear their quarters path.
