Host Russia beat Spain 4-3 in penalty shoot-out in the 2018 World Cup.

The Spanish 2010 world cup champions had 79% of the possession and dominated the game in both halves with their accurate passing and skills which played more than four times the number of passes than Russia. However, Spain failed to create a clear scoring and the chance to take advantage of the game to secure a place in the quarter-finals.

With over a full period of 90 minutes plus stoppage time and a further 30 minutes of extra time, you still could not separate both teams following a turgid 1-1 draw. The inevitable penalty shootout was looming to decide which team would go through to the World Cup quarter-finals where the winners will face Croatia.

The Russian goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev was the hero of the hour after saving two Spanish penalties in a nail-biting penalty shoot-out that seen former Spanish champions extraordinarily crash out of the World Cup and booked Russia´s place in the next round.

Spain scored the first goal in the 12th minute when Sergei Ignashevich clashed with the Spanish captain Sergio Ramos at the far post and had the last touch in a free kick with his heel and Spain led 1-0. It was also the 10th own goal so far of the 2018 tournament, but this didn't stop Sergio Ramos from claiming the goal.

Russia came back after a backward approaching header seen by Spain´s Gerard Piqué who plays centre-back, who after missing the header kept his arm in the air, which resulted in a handball and Russia were awarded a penalty. Aleksandr Golovín's, Russian's midfielder, curled the ball into the back of the net and equalized in the 42nd minute 1-1.

By the second period of extra time, both sides were worse for wear, and had run out of energy with several players having cramp. The Russian´s where reduced to defending desperately, trying not to give any opportunities to Spain to go ahead. Somehow they managed to hold off and the results had to be decided by penalties.

1-0: Spain´s Andrés Iniesta scored

1-1: Russian´s Fyodor Smolov scored

2-1: Spain´s Gerard Piqué scored

2-2: Russian´s Sergei Ignashevich scored

2-2: Spain´s Koke (Akinfeev) saved

2-3: Russian´s Aleksandr Sergeyevich Golovin scored

3-3: Spain´s Sergio Ramos García scored

4-3: Russian´s Denis Dmitriyevich Cheryshev scored

4-3: Spain´s Iago Aspas Juncal (Akinfeev) saved

Igor Akinfeev has become a national hero by saving the two spot-kicks to which sent former Spanish 2010 champions home and led the Russian hosts to win the penalty shootout 4-3! And go through to the next round.