World Cup: Akinfeev is the hero as Russia shock Spain on penalties - how Twitter reacted
Koke and Iago Aspas missed in the penalty shoot-out for Spain
Spain 1 Russia 1 (Russia won 4-3 on penalties)
Host nation Russia are through to the World Cup quarter-finals after a shock penalty shoot-out victory against Spain.
The match finished 1-1 after extra-time and it was goalkeeper and captain Igor Akinfeev who became the Russian hero with penalty saves from Spain’s Koke and Iago Aspas.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
In a very tense match in Moscow Spain took the lead through a Sergei Ignashevich own goal but Russia were level four minutes before half-time when Artem Dzyuba slotted home a penalty after Gerard Pique was penalised for handball.
Despite having the majority of possession Spain could not break down a defensive Russian side in the second-half or during the extra 30 minutes.
The game went to spot kicks and it was Russia who held their nerve to win 4-3 on penalties.
How the shoot-out unfolded (Spain took first):
- 1-0: Iniesta scored
- 1-1: Smolov scored
- 2-1: Pique scored
- 2-2: Ignashevich scored
- 2-2: Koke missed
- 2-3: Golovin scored
- 3-3: Ramos scored
- 4-3: Cheryshev scored
- 4-3: Aspas missed
Russia will now face Croatia or Denmark in the World Cup quarter-final on Saturday 7 July (7pm).
How Twitter reacted to Russia’s victory:
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Quiz of The Week: 16 - 22 November
Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By The Week Staff Published
-
The week's best photos
In Pictures Firing shells, burning ballots, and more
By Anahi Valenzuela, The Week US Published
-
Damian Barr shares his favourite books
The Week Recommends The writer and broadcaster picks works by Alice Walker, Elif Shafak and others
By The Week UK Published
-
Mason Greenwood: footballer arrested on suspicion of rape and assault
Speed Read Man Utd confirm the striker will not train or play until further notice
By The Week Staff Published
-
Handball: swapping bikini bottoms for tight pants
Speed Read Women competitors will be required to ‘wear short tight pants with a close fit’
By The Week Staff Published
-
Cristiano Ronaldo’s second coming
Speed Read Last week, Manchester United re-signed the forward on a two-year deal thought to be worth more than £400,000 a week
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Bank holidays and boycotts: are MPs trying to jinx England?
Speed Read Declaring a bank holiday would be ‘tempting fate’, says Boris Johnson
By The Week Staff Published
-
Weightlifting: Olympic Games set for transgender first
Speed Read New Zealand weightlifter Laurel Hubbard will make history at Tokyo 2020
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sport shorts: Champions League expansion plan to be agreed
Speed Read News and reactions from the world of sport, featuring Joachim Low and the Lions women’s team
By Mike Starling Published
-
Sport shorts: Sturgeon slams Rangers fans over title celebrations
Speed Read News and reactions from the world of sport, featuring Keely Hodgkinson and Bryson DeChambeau
By Mike Starling Published
-
Sport shorts: Klopp’s unwanted record as Liverpool lose again at Anfield
Speed Read News and reactions from the world of sport, featuring Tiger Woods and Tom Brady
By Mike Starling Published