#Russia2018: Resilient Host Sends Spain Packing on Penalties

Igor Akinfeev was Russia’s hero after saving two penalties in a shoot-out to sensationally dump 2010 champions out of the World cup and book the hosts a place in the quarter-finals after a 1-1 draw in Moscow.

Koke and Iago Aspas were denied by the Russian goalkeeper as Spain who dominated possession for greater portion of the game without creating clear chances were defeated 4-3 on penalties.

Sergei Ignashevich became the oldest scorer of an own goal in the World cup history when the 38-year-old gave Spain an early lead at the Luzhniki Stadium but as the clock ticked down to half-time, the referee adjudged that Gerard Pique had handled the ball and Artem Dzyuba made no mistake from the spot.

After extra time, Koke’s third penalty for Spain was saved by Igor Akinfeev who then saved Iago Aspas’s final shot.

Russia will face either Croatia or Denmark, who are meeting later on Sunday, in Sochi on July 7.