Russia goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev said his side’s penalties win over Spain in the World Cup round of 16 was the result of a deliberate strategy to play for a shootout.
The tournament hosts had to withstand wave after wave of Spanish pressure after they had fought back to level the scores 1-1 at halftime.
Russia gifted Spain the opening goal through an own goal, but the 2010 champions returned the favour as Gerard Pique’s handball gave the hosts a penalty which Artem Dzyuba converted just before the first half ended.
But Spain were unable to break through in the second half or extra time, as Russia gamely held on for penalties, where they would emerge triumphant.
“We were hoping for penalties, “Akinfeev said.
“We are having a fantastic World Cup. Not just our fans, but the fans of other countries are getting a sense of this atmosphere and understood that Russians really know how to play football and want to play football.”
The veteran goalkeeper saved two penalties in the shootout, including from Iago Aspas to clinch a dramatic win.
A delighted Russia manager Stanislav Cherch added: “we spent two years working on this and did a good job”.
