Supp. Eighteen 'Spain Bow Out in Moscow'

As the heavens opened in Moscow with five minutes of extra time to play and the rain fell for the first time in weeks, a dark feeling of inevitability set in for the Spanish as their impotent passing struggled to penetrate the deep defensive line Stanislav Cherchesovs side set out to employ. Using five at the back and surprisingly dropping star top goalscorer Denis Cheryshev, Russia looked the perfect package to stop this Spanish side who would complete in excess of a thousand passes throughout the game.

Such was the effectiveness of the Russian deep-block that Spain were reduced to an alarmingly low four touches in the oppositions box during the first 45 minutes. Diego Costa, who started up top for the Spanish and had been so important through the group stages looked isolated and ineffective. This was where Spain’s dilemma up front really showed its ugly head - Costa does not suit the tight interplay and passing exhanges the Spanish tend to use, and appeared one of many issues for Hierro’s side on the day.

Spain in fact started brightly, when a Marco Asensio free kick was whipped into the area and turned in off the foot of veteran Ignashevich (Ramos fooled some by wheeling away in celebration), but nevertheless Spain had gained an important lead. With the rest of the half came more recycled possession as Spain brought up over 500 passes in the first spell, the lack of natural wingers saw La Roja play in such tight spaces that they became suffocated by the compact and organised Russian defense. Four minutes from the break Russia ventured forward; the subsequent looping corner was sent gliding toward the back post and target man Artem Dzyuba headed goalward - in the balls trajectory toward goal it came into contact with the outstretched hand of World Cup Winner Gerard Pique. A penalty was given to the host nation which Dzyuba converted cooly. Spain’s possession had got them nowhere and they had seldom threatened goal as both sides went in to their respective dressing rooms with the score poised at 1-1.

The second half brought much of the same - as the minutes ticked away, it became clearer that today was not Spains day. Frustrated, lethargic and lacking incisiveness even after Andres Iniesta was brought into the fray, Igor Akinfeev had few to cover for the rest of the match in the Russian sticks aside from a sizzling Iniesta volley close from time. After a late flurry the tie ended at 1-1 - the first venture into extra time thus far at the tournament.

Once more, in the more than comfortable 24 degree heat Spain ceased to threaten goal. In fact, they coasted through the thirty minute period without having any real breakthrough on Akinfeevs goal. Russia, who sat remarkably deep and used star package Aleksandr Golovins lightening pace to break away also rarely troubled David De Gea, often being snuffed out before any attempts on goal could be made. Five minutes from time the rain poured and Spain soured - it looked symptomatic of the end for Fernando Hierro’s side at the tournament, and as the venture into a penalty shootout was made, Spains evening hastily darkened.

Iniesta stepped up first and cooly converted and Smolov emulated the strike for Russia. Pique then followed before Ignashevich, appearing as if he was simply going for an afternoon stroll calmly dispatched from 12 yards. The same composure was not on show when Kokes penalty was saved and then Iago Aspas failed to convert as the Spanish exited the tournament in a shock result. Russia stifled the talent-laden La Roja and it is a great shame to see them leave, as another big player exits the tournament.

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Zlatko Dalics’ Croatia overcame Denmark after a long winded 120 minute affair. Matthias Jorgensen’s early goal was cancelled out by a Mario Mandzukic effort as the first five minutes of proceedings saw the games only two goals be scored. The game saw few chances and after Luka Modric failed to convert a late 118’ minute penalty, saved by the excellent Kasper Schmeichel, the game descended into a penalty shootout. Both sides gave excellent accounts of themselves but Croatia will progress after Ivan Rakitic capitalised on striker Jorgensen’s miss.