World Cup to forgot came to a premature end for Spain on Sunday with a 4-3 penalty shootout defeat to Russia in Moscow, following a 1-1 draw after extra-time.
The victors eight years ago, La Roja’s campaign began in controversy and ended in ignomy despite dominating the host nation and many questions will be asked of how a team unbeaten in two years failed to make their mark on the biggest stage.
It all began as well as they could have asked for, a 12th minute set-piece expertly floated towards Sergio Ramos, the defender the victim of Sergei Ignashevich’s grappling to such an extent that the Russian was none the wiser as he flicked the ball into the net to become the tournament’s oldest ever scorer of an own goal.
Such an advantage was rarely under threat of being doubled and Spain paid for their lack of tempo by a freak handball committed by Gerard Pique in his own area. In raising his arms to jump and head a corner kick away, he inexplicably left one hand in the air for the ball to strike and the spot-kick was awarded.
It was the break Russia had been praying for and Artem Dzyuba calmly slotted the ball into the corner of the net, David De Gea diving the wrong way.
Following the equaliser, the nature of the game changed little. Aleksandr Golovin fired a warning shot at De Gea’s goal amid the host nation’s acceptance that Spain were to keep the ball and work their way towards goal with unfading patience.
And yet, for too long they sprayed the ball around with Igor Akinfeev’s goal a speck in the distance. Diego Costa cut a forlorn figure in the centre of the park with Isco the only player determined to break rank and enter the area.
Sadly for Fernando Hierro, his decision to start Marco Asensio over Andres Iniesta didn’t yield the sort of direct action and threat from range the young midfielder can offer. After 67 minutes, Iniesta was turned to regardless after David Silva maintained his disturbingly quiet World Cup campaign.
Extra-time beckoned and it was Iniesta who began to take the initiative, sharply combining with fellow substitute Iago Aspas to fire a volley on goal from 18 yards out, drawing a parry from Akinfeev before Aspas drilled the rebound wide from a tight angle.
The inevitable time extension was confirmed following a handful of set-pieces that Hierro’s men failed to make pay, entering the tunnel for a brief respite having clocked 74 percent of possession in the initial 90 minutes.
Whatever the coach said during the interval enlivened La Roja and they came out with greater intent to test Akinfeev; Jordi Alba, Asensio and Aspas all launching efforts on goal that reminded their opponents where the impetus remained.
More energy was required to avoid penalties and Rodrigo Moreno’s introduction sparked Spain into life, the Valencia striker revolutionising his team’s approach with a pacey run, driving straight at the defence before firing at goal. The goalkeeper made the save but only found Dani Carvajal, who slipped while stretching to shoot and the attack was repelled.
However, with Russia now at their weakest, a Roja penalty call for shirt pulling was turned down by VAR and the final whistle rang, demanding a shootout to determine the side to progress to the quarter-finals.
First up, Iniesta did the business down the middle before Fyodor Smolov, Pique and Ignashevich traded blows. Koke’s penalty wasn’t far enough into the corner and was pushed clear, handing the advantage to Russia and Golovin, who slammed the ball home.
Now 3-2 down, Sergio Ramos stepped up for his country and wrestled back some initative. Former Real Madrid colleague Denis Cheryshev then put the hosts within a save of the next round and it was Aspas to take next, denied by Akinfeev’s feet.
The Luzhniki Stadium erupted. Many had expected Russia to fall at the first hurdle, least of all their own fans, but instead they had marched into the quarter-finals, sending home the 2010 winners in the process.
Match facts
1 – Spain: De Gea; Nacho (Carvajal, m.70), Pique, Sergio Ramos, Jordi Alba; Busquets, Koke; Isco, Silva (Iniesta, m.66), Marco Asensio (Rodrigo, m.104); Diego Costa (Iago Aspas, m.80).
1 – Russia: Akinfeev; Mario Fernandes, Kutepov, Kudriashov, Ignashevich, Zhirkov (Granat, m.46); Zobnin, Kuziaev (Erokhin, m.97); Samedov (Cheryshev, m.61), Golovin, Dzyuba (Smolov, m.65).
Goals: 1-0, m.11: Ignashevich (own goal). 1-1, m.41: Dzyuba.
Penalty shoot-out: 1-0: Iniesta. 1-1: Smolov. 2-1: Piqué. 2-2: Ignashévich. 2-2: Koke missed. 2-3: Golovin. 3-3: Ramos. 3-4: Chéryshev. 3-4: Aspas missed.
Referee: Bjorn Kuipers (Netherlands).
Yellow cards: Pique (40), Kutépov (54), Zobnin (71).
Red cards: None.
Stadium: Luzhniki.
Attendance: 78,011.
Report by Marca
