Spain became the lastest in the list of footballing powerhouses to bow out of the FIFA World Cup after they lost their last-16 tie against hosts Russia 3-4 on penalties. The match had ended 1-1 after ninety minutes of normal time and thirty minutes of extra time at the Luizniki Stadium in Moscow.
#RUS live on!
The Luzhniki has exploded into a sea of celebrations. The hosts are into the quarter-finals!#ESPRUS pic.twitter.com/tXt1IvxVdN
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 1, 2018
#FifaWorldCup2018 | Hosts #Russia beat #Spain 4-3 on penalties after the match ended 1-1 after normal and extra-time.#WorldCup #ESPRUS
— NEWS LIVE (@NewsLiveGhy) July 1, 2018
Spain joined defending champions Germany, Argentina — runner-up at Brazil four years ago — and Portugal to make an early exit from this year’s world cup. While Germany bowed out in the group stages, Argentina were eliminated (after losing to France 4-3) in the last 16 and Portugal also losing their pre-quarterfinals against Uruguay on Saturday (June 30).
#FifaWorldCup2018 | Penalty shootout at Moscow:#ESP ✅✅❌✅❌#RUS ✅✅✅✅#ESP 1-1 #RUS (Normal and extra-time score)#WorldCup #ESPRUS
— NEWS LIVE (@NewsLiveGhy) July 1, 2018
Meanwhile, Spanish great Andres Iniesta announced his retirement from international football after Spain’s loss to Russia.
"Sometimes farewells don't go the way you'd like them to" @andresiniesta8 speaks after retiring from #ESP duty in the wake of their #WorldCup exit 😢
👉 https://t.co/ZqeeI08Vn1 pic.twitter.com/pZewVjdyRD
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 1, 2018
On the other hand, in the other last-16 tie played yesterday (July 1), Croatia defeated Denmark 3-2 on penalties after the match ended 1-1 in normal and extra time. Croatia skipper Luka Modric could have sealed the victory in extra-time after they were awarded a penalty. But the dimunitive midfielder failed to score as Danish goal-keeper Kasper Schmeical dived to his left to produce a wonderful save.
#FifaWorldCup2018 | Rebic brought down inside the 6-yard box by the goal scorer Mathias Jorgensen. The referee points to the spot. But Luka Modric's shot is saved. #Denmark stay in the hunt, four minutes plus injury time for penalties.#CRO 1-1 #DEN #WorldCup #CRODEN
— NEWS LIVE (@NewsLiveGhy) July 1, 2018
Croatia, however, had the last laugh in the penalty shootout as Subasic produced three wonderful saves to take his country to the quarter-finals where they will face hosts Russia.
Only one keeper has saved 3 penalties in a shoot-out before Danijel Subasic
It happened exactly on this day in 2006 – approximately 12 years & 3 hours ago, when Ricardo helped #POR knock out #ENG
With Schmeichel also saving 3 today, 1 July is clearly a day for keepers!#CRODEN pic.twitter.com/sAVJewO2yP
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 1, 2018
Meanwhile, Brazil will face Mexico and Belgium will lock horns with Japan in the two last-16 ties to be played today.
#FifaWorldCup2018 | Tonight's Round-of-16 ties:
1. #BRA vs #MEX
Samara Arena, Samara
7:30 pm IST2. #BEL vs #JPN
Rostov Arena, Rostov-On-Don
11:30 pm IST pic.twitter.com/qtqVpxbuRN— NEWS LIVE (@NewsLiveGhy) July 2, 2018
