Spain v Russia and Spain had never beaten a host nation in a World Cup in four attempts, make that five attempts now. Spain started the game with three changes including Iniesta on the bench, which of course was a shock to us, let alone all the Spanish fans. As for Russia, they had a couple of changes themselves and their surprise was no place for their top goalscorer Cheryshev.
Spain took the lead when Ignashevich put into his own net from a Spanish free-kick from the right, to be fair he didn’t know too much about it as instead he was fighting Ramos to the ground. If it had not have gone in, then surely a penalty would have been given anyway. Pique then handled in the box just before half-time and up-stepped Dzyuba to smash home from twelve yards.
After that the game was end to end with both sides creating decent enough chances to win it but there was plenty of good saves, blocks and scrambled defending to deny all the efforts. Into extra-time and much the same but after 120 minutes they could not be separated. It was to be penalties and with Koke missing for Spain, it meant Cheryshev could give the hosts the advantage and he stepped up to do so. Which meant Aspas had to score but he didn’t! Dramatic scenes for the host nation!
Spain 1–1 (a.e.t.) Russia
Ignashevich Goal 12′ (o.g.)
Dzyuba Goal 41′ (pen.)
Penalties
Iniesta Penalty scored
Piqué Penalty scored
Koke Penalty missed
Ramos Penalty scored
Aspas Penalty missed
3–4
Penalty scored Smolov
Penalty scored Ignashevich
Penalty scored Golovin
Penalty scored Cheryshev
Next fixture for Russia:
Saturday July 7th: Russia v Croatia – Sochi, 7pm (Match 59)
Croatia v Denmark and whoever won this match would reach the quarter-finals for just the second time in their history. Croatia started the game unchanged from the team that beat Argentina, but Denmark had two enforced changes through injury. I’d actually tipped Denmark to reach the semi-finals as an outside bet before the tournament so I was quite please when they took the lead in the very first minute. shockingly Croatia equalised just three minutes later when the ball fell kindly to Mandžukić after some good build up play and he turned quickly to smash it home.
After the fast start there was a few opportunities for both teams but it wasn’t the best game and was a bit scrappy at times in the end. It continued like that into extra-time too, until right at the end when Croatia won a penalty but Schmeichel saved brilliantly to save his team. Could he do it again in the penalty shoot-out. The answer is, yes he could by saving two penalties, unfortunately three of his team-mates missed their spot-kicks as the Croatia keeper Danijel Subašić saved them.
Croatia 1–1 (a.e.t.) Denmark
Mandžukić Goal 4′
M. Jørgensen Goal 1′
Penalties
Badelj Penalty missed
Kramarić Penalty scored
Modrić Penalty scored
Pivarić Penalty missed
Rakitić Penalty scored
3–2
Penalty missed Eriksen
Penalty scored Kjær
Penalty scored Krohn-Dehli
Penalty missed Schöne
Penalty missed N. Jørgensen
Next fixture for Croatia:
Saturday July 7th: Russia v Croatia – Sochi, 7pm (Match 59)
