Hosts Russia through to quarterfinals after beating Spain 4-3 on penalties

Hosts Russia became the third team to reach the quarterfinals of the 2018 FIFA World Cup after beating 2010 world champions Spain 4-3 on penalties. The two teams had drawn 1-1 at completion of half-time.

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

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

Both the regular time goals came in the first half. Spain took a 12th-minute lead when veteran Russia defender Sergei Ignashevich put the ball into his own net, but Artem Dzyuba equalised from a penalty for the hosts in the 42nd after Gerard Pique handled in the area.