Nel terzo ottavo di finale dei Mondiali 2018, la Russia batte la Spagna per 5-4 ai calci di rigore. Sbagliano per le Furie Rosse Koke e Iago Aspas, ipnotizzati da Akinfeev. Ai tempi regolamentari il match si era concluso sull’1-1, con l’autorete di Ignasievich (11′)
Among the Russians, the 5-3-2 is surprising with the exclusion of Cherishev from the first minute, while Golovin plays up front in support of Dzyuba. Spain with Asensio starting in the trio completed by David Silva and Isco behind Diego Costa, while Iniesta starts from the bench. The hosts are really very cautious, after the defeat against Uruguay. Long and patient possession of the ball by the Roja, to try to flush out their opponents. But for the goal, in the 11th minute, a daring own goal by Ignasievich is needed, who in a melee, marking Sergio Ramos, unfortunately puts it in his own net. The Russian reaction is at least appreciable for its intensity, but Spain manages it quite easily for a long time, even without actually ever being dangerous, re-proposing themselves in front. And ten minutes from the break, Russia has the chance to equalize, with Golovin who from the edge of the area fails to find the measure for a right-footed shot. Spain lowers their center of gravity too much and on a corner Piqué commits a blatant handball on a header from Dzyuba, literally gifting Russia a penalty. From the spot, the center forward does not miss (41') putting the match back in balance. Before the break, Spain tries to get back in front immediately but Akinfeev saves well on Diego Costa.
In the second half, Spain started with the same rather slow pace, with only Isco able to add something to the maneuver. A couple of chances arrived even if not with particularly fluid initiatives, on the other hand Russia tried to respond with a higher center of gravity and shortly after the quarter of an hour they played the Cherishev and Smolov cards who were unable to be incisive. Hierro responded with Iniesta in place of David Silva, but finding the man between the lines remained a difficult task for the attention of the Russians, let alone managing to go vertical. As the minutes passed, Russia clearly aimed for extra time and dropped back as at the start of the match, with Spain taking even more possession of the attacking midfield. The big chance came six minutes from the 90th minute, with Akinfeev first amazing on Iniesta then on the rebound from Iago Aspas, who came on in place of Diego Costa. The last chance before extra time fell to Smolov, who kicked wide with his right foot after a counterattack.
In overtime, the script remains, needless to say, the same. Russia is very tired and does not start again, Spain is holding on to the verve of the substitutes Iniesta, Iago Aspas and Rodrigo to shuffle the cards. It is precisely the Valencia striker, at the beginning of the second extra time, who has a great opportunity, with Akinfeev who outdoes himself once again. The Red Furies remain indolent and even risk an adventurous disengagement by Busquets in the area. In the penalty shootout, four goals out of four for Russia while Spain misses with Koke and Iago Aspas: Akinfeev becomes the hero of the day and launches the home team into the quarter-final against the winner of Croatia-Denmark.
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