2018 FIFA World Cup: Russia and Croatia Gain Hard Wins and Get to the Quarterfinals
July 1 was one of the hardest days at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. In the round of 16, Russia played with Spain while Croatia had a match against Denmark. The both matches ended with the draw and the winners were determined by a series of penalty. As a result, Russia and Croatia earned victories, getting to the quarterfinals.
First, Spain played against Russia. In the regular time, the game ended with the score 1:1. The first goal was scored on the 12th minute, when Sergei Ignashevich marked a goal to his own net, making Spain lead. On the 41st minute, Artem Dzyuba converted the penalty and evened the score.
With no more goals in the regular and extra time, the teams proceeded to the penalty shootout. As a result, Russia won by converting 4 penalties while Spain did that 3 times. Russians Fedor Smolov, Sergei Ignashevich, Aleksandr Golovin, Denis Cheryshev managed to convert the penalties as well as Spaniards Andres Iniesta, Gerard Pique and Sergio Ramos. Russia’s goalkeeper saved penalties from Koke and Iago Aspas.
Russia’s goalkeeper, Igor Akinfeev, was voted as Man of the Match for two incredible saves in the shootout phase. The yellow cards were shown to Gerard Pique, Ilya Kutepov and Roman Zobnin.
Croatia and Denmark also ended the game with the score 1:1 in the regular time and didn’t score in extra time. On the 1st minute, Mathias Joergensen made Denmark lead after an assist from Thomas Delaney. But on the 4th minute, Mario Mandzukic evened the score.
In the shootout phase, Danish Simon Kjaer, Michael Krohn-Dehli and Croatians Andrej Kramaric, Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic converted the penalties. The shoots from Christian Eriksen, Milan Badelj, Lasse Schone, Josip Pivaric and Nicolai Joergensen were saved by goalkeepers Daniel Subasic and Kasper Schmeichel.
Kasper Schmeichel, a Denmark’s goalkeeper, was called a Man of the Match. Mathias Joergensen received a yellow card.
