FIFA World Cup 2018 Last 16: Russia, Croatia beat Spain, Denmark in penalties

July 4, 2018 On Sunday, Spain lost to Russia 4–3 in the penalty shootout while Croatia defeated Denmark 3–2 in the penalty shootout in the FIFA football World Cup in the Last 16 knockout phase. Both the matches were 1–1 at the end of added time.

Spain v Russia
Spain took on hosts Russia at the in Moscow. Spain had greater ball possession. Spain got an early lead shortly after the 10th minute when scored an own goal. In the 40th minute, Spanish defender Gerard Piqué was yellow-carded for a handball in the penalty area and Russia was awarded a penalty kick. scored from the spot kick, sending Spanish goalkeeper David de Gea in the other direction, equalising for Russia before the halftime. and Diego Costa attempted goal before the half-time whistle, but the attempts were blocked or stopped. The first half ended with 1–1 on the scoreboard.

Early in the second half, Jordi Alba had an attempt from Marco Asensio's assist but was saved. Sergio Busquets,, and Andrés Iniesta had attempts to put Spain back in the lead, but were unsuccessful. The second half ended without and goals and the match went to extra time.

The extra time saw Dani Carvajal and also making attempts for goals but the match went on to penalties to separate the two sides. For Spain, Iniesta, Piqué, and captain Sergio Ramos scored the goals while and Aspas failed to score from their kicks. , Sergei Ignashevich, and scored their penalty kicks. Denis Cheryshev scored the winning goal for Russia.

Spanish midfielder Iniesta retired from international football after the match.

Croatia v Denmark
Croatia faced Denmark at the and had greater ball possession. The Danish side opened the scoring in the first minute when scored a close-range shot from 's assist. But Denmark's lead did not last long as Mario Mandžukić equalised for Croatia in the 4th minute. Both the sides had multiple attempts and misses for the goal. The first half ended with 1–1 on the scoreboard.

The second half remained goalless and the match went to additional extra time. In the 116th minute, Croatia had a penalty kick as was brought down in the penalty area. Luka Modrić took the penalty kick but was saved by the Danish goalkeeper. The extra time ended 1–1.

In the penalty shootout, Denmark's and Croatia's 's kicks were saved. and scored their kicks for Denmark while  and Luka Modrić scored their kicks for Croatia. Both the sides were 2–2. Denmark's and Croatia's 's kicks  were saved. Jørgensen's kick was saved by the Croatian goalkeeper and Ivan Rakitić scored the winning penalty kick for Croatia as they advanced to the quarterfinals.