FIFA Round of 16 Review: Match Day 2
The four teams in action gave it their all to produce nail biting finishes to both the games.
(WebDesk) - Football fans all over the world witnessed two extremely competitive games on Sunday in the round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup as hosts Russia took on 2010 champions Spain whilst Croatia locked horns with Denmark. Both the matches featured determined play, vicious physicality and moments of brilliance.
It was not surprising to see both the encounters going to the very last kick of the ball with results being decided via penalty shootouts on both occasions.
Here s a look at how both the matches eventually turned out:
Spain vs Russia
Hosts Russia came into the do-or-die encounter, riding on immense confidence, after putting a good show in front of the home supporters in the group stage. Their opponents Spain, however, displayed edgy performances that had their fans questioning the team and the coach going into the last 16.
As expected, however, the Spanish took the lead in the 12th minute courtesy an own goal from Russian defender Ignashevich before the hosts fought back and equalized via an Artem Dzyuba penalty in the 41st minute after Spain’s Gerard Pique was penalized for a clear handball.
Spain took the lead in the 12th minute via an own goal. Photo: Goal.com
Dzyuba equalized for the hosts via a penalty in the 41st minute. Photo: File.
The entirety of the second half featured the Russian’s sturdy defence frustrating the Spanish players who struggled to find a breakthrough throughout, leading the game, first, into extra time, and then, requiring a penalty shootout to decide the fate of the two teams.
Veteran goalkeeper and eventual Russian hero, Igor Akinfeev, saved both Koke s and Iago Aspas penalty efforts in the shootout as the hosts stunned one of the tournament favourites to book their place in the quarterfinals of the World Cup.
A determined Russian side booked their place in the quarterfinals. Photo: The New York Times.
Star Player
Igor Akinfeev
Goalkeepers are always either the villain or the hero, when it comes to the penalty shootout. For Russian goalkeeper, Akinfeev, it was the latter, as the 32-year-old saved two crucial penalties to cause a huge upset and send his national side into the last 8 of the prestigious tournament.
Apart from the match winning saves, Akinfeev stood tall in the two hours of football that featured a constant threat from the Spanish forwards.
Denmark vs Croatia
This encounter featured Croatia, arguably the best team in the tournament so far and a rather stubborn Denmark side looking to prove their mettle to the football fans all over the world.
Croatia were favorites to win the encounter but the Danish weren’t ready to give up all just yet and scored via defender Mathia Jorgensen who found the back of the net in the very first minute after Denmark were unable to clear an Eriksen corner. The Croatians fought back within just three minutes with Mario Mandzukic equalizing for the Vatreni.
Jorgensen netted the quickest goal of the tournament, helping Denmark take the lead in the first minute. Photo: Twitter.
Mandzukic soon equalized for Croatia with a goal three minutes later. Photo: BBC Sport.
Next, the game was all about breakaways and strong attempts, as both the units worked tirelessly to gain the lead but in vain. Sparring and battling eventually led the match into extra time that featured a fair bit of drama in the 114th minute when first half hero, Jorgensen was sent off for denying Mandzukic a clear goal opportunity inside the box.
Croatian captain Luka Modric stepped up to finish off things but failed to convert the penalty in the 116th minute.
Schmeichel produced a good save to deny Modric from the spot, in extra time. Photo: The Independent.
The goals stood at one a piece, needing another penalty shootout to decide the quarterfinalists. Goalkeeper Danijel Subasic proved to be the hero of the night after making three impressive saves to send the Croatians into the last eight.
Croatia are through to the last eight. Photo: RT.com
Star Player
Kasper Schmeichel
Usually players from the losing side do not feature as stars of the night but Danish keeper, Kasper Schmeichel, displayed a note-worthy performance making decent saves in both the halves before denying Luka Modric a penalty in extra time and preventing Badeljn and Pivaric from netting in the penalty shootout.
Despite his valiant efforts, the 31-year-old could not lead his team into the quarterfinals of the World Cup.
