Hosts Russia, pulled off the biggest shock of the 2018 FIFA World Cup to beat Spain in the first penalty shootout of the tournament to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in 48 years.

The FIFA World Cup 2018 has been taking twists and turns every day, and another upset was caused on Sunday, July 1, 2018, as Russia beat Spain by 4-3 in a penalty shootout after the Round of 16 matches ended with a scoreline of 1-1 after the extra time, Fifa.com reported.

The match started with the Spanish attack taking a toll of the Russian defense. It was finally in the 12th minute that Spain went ahead, the moment when 38-year-old Sergei Ignashevich, dived into the Spanish captain Sergio Ramos at the second bar, tapping a free kick in with his foot and scored an own goal.

Spain held the 1-0 advantage for some time until Gerard Pique's handball inside the box gifted the hosts a penalty just a couple of minutes before half-time.

First half of the match

Russian striker Artem Dzyuba converted the penalty into a goal as Spanish goalkeeper David DeGea jumped to the wrong side. This moment of Russia equalizing at 1-1 brought the entire 78,000 crowd at the Luzhnki Stadium in Moscow alive, as the Russians could feel that they were about to witness something special.

Second half and penalties

The second half and the extra time that followed after that had more of Spain dominating the possession of the ball but failing to get it past the Russian goalkeeper and captain, Igor Akinfeev.

Russia, on the other hand, could only manage to keep the ball for 21 percent of the time, as the 2010 champions didn't allow them to settle.

The drama that followed during the penalty shootout was one the Russians would never like to forget.

Spain took the first shot, and Iniesta opened their account. Smolov and Ignashevich both scored for Russia, while Pique scored for Spain keeping the shootout open at 2-2 with each left with three shots. After this, Igor Akinfeev, the Russian keeper stopped Koke from scoring giving Russia the advantage.

The next two shots by Russia were converted into goals by Golovin and Cheryshev, while Ramos chipped one past the goal line to get the scoreline struck at 4-3, with one shot left for each team. Akinfeev then stopped Aspas's shot with his left foot making it one of the best moments in the history of the Russian football.

The penalty shootout ended at 4-3, as Russia qualified for the quarterfinals of the World Cup for the first time since the breakdown of the Soviet Union. For Spain, it was another heartbreak at the World Cup.

Russia will now meet Croatia in the Quarter Final at the Fisht Olympic Stadium, Sochi on Saturday, July 7, 2018.
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