It was a dramatic game between Spain vs Russia after Spain took the lead through a Sergey Ignashevich own goal in the 12th minute of the last-16 match in Moscow, Russia forward Artem Dzyuba equalised before half-time with penalty after Gerard Pique's handball mistake. The round-of-16 match headed to extra time and then a penalty shootout. Before Russia goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev saved 2 penalty shootout from Koke and Iago Aspas of Spain.
They won the afters 4-3, but it is worth noting their equaliser was a penalty, too. Cherchesov found five individuals who could hold their nerve against Spain; Fernando Hierro could not muster more than three from a stellar cast of players at the peak of European football.
Russia goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev saves Iago Aspas's spot-kick to send the hosts through to the World Cup quarter-finals
Akinfeev celebrates after saving the crucial penalty against Spain to send Russia through to the last eight of the competition
Sergio Ramos cries as Spain's coach Fernando Hierro comforts him after losing the penalty shootout to Russia on Sunday
Russia players celebrate after Aspas (not pictured) missed his penalty during the shootout after 1-1 draw following extra time
Russia goalkeeper Akinfeev saved another penalty, this time from Spain midfielder Koke, to give them the advantage
At the end, when the left boot of Igor Akinfeev saved the kick of Iago Aspas, players that had been as good as in their knees moments earlier, sprinted across the turf, the speed and power of a Russian cavalry charge, minus the horses. Questions have been asked of Russia's phenomenal fitness at this tournament, given the scandal revealed by the McClaren Report, but it would be a pity of rumours were allowed to sully that moment. It is possible for aching legs to be cured by a sudden rush of adrenalin and if Russia's progress to a World Cup quarter-final for the first time since the break-up of the Soviet Union was not capable of such inspiration, what is?
When the whistle blew to conclude extra time, many in the Russian crowd celebrated as if their team had already won; which, in a way, they had.
This was a squad it was feared would embarrass the nation; would exit at the group stage, maybe without winning a game. Yet here they were, taking the mighty Spain to the limit. Not, toe to toe, admittedly. Cherchesov's tactics had every last man behind the ball and stopped at little more than dogged resilience. Yet it was supremely effective, the organisation quite superb if, at times, the tactics were primitive - huge hoofed clearances upfield to nobody in particular.
We have all seen games like this, however - Chelsea at Barcelona in 2012, is a favourite - and to emerge triumphant was in its own way, magnificent.
Russia played as if down to ten men, while looking as if they had 20 on the field. They were everywhere, smothering, clearing, blocking, tackling, then regrouping to go again. Oscar Tabarez of Uruguay talked about possession being over-rated after defeating Portugal on Saturday night - and this game as good as reduced some of football's favourite theories to the margins.
Russia saw the ball no more than 20 per cent of the time and when they did, they hoofed if. Spain, meanwhile, rewrote the record books for passing and possession, but looked utterly crushed by their inability to break down such average opponents.
Russia's players gather before extra time after the two sides could be separated following the full 90 minutes on Sunday
Spain's players huddle before an extra 30 minutes against Russia in the last 16 of the World Cup at the Luzhniki Stadium
But following extra time and penalties, it was Spain who were left dejected after Russia triumphed in the penalty shootout
The jubilant Russian players sprint towards their goalkeeper in the knowledge they have progressed to the quarter-finals
The Russian players celebrate in front of their home crowd after pulling off an unlikely victory over Spain
Spain made the most passes of any team in World Cup history, first in 90 minutes, and then beyond. In addition, Sergio Ramos completed more than any individual, which might be the first clue about the worth of this approach.
Ramos is a great defender, but he is no Iniesta. Most of his 141 passes in normal time will not have taken Spain very far.
Round and round they went, as if the game was a training exercise, or the centre circle was the target area. In total, Spain made 1,006 passes - 21 fewer than Russia have made in four matches.
But sometimes less is more. Russia striker Artem Dzyuba has had three shots on target at this World Cup - and each has ended in a goal.
And if Chercheshov gambled on dragging Spain into a random decider at the end of two hours play, Fernando Hierro's great gamble backfired.
Iniesta has started 33 of the 34 games in Spain's last nine major tournaments, but was left on the bench here. It didn't work. Spain were a mish-mash or ideas and concepts.
They had Diego Costa upfront but never gave him the early service he requires.
MATCH FACTS AND PLAYER RATINGS
Spain (4-2-3-1): De Gea 6; Nacho 6.5 (Carvajal 70, 6), Pique 7, Ramos 7, Alba 6.5; Koke 5, Busquets 5; Silva 4.5 (Iniesta 67, 6.5), Isco 7, Asensio 6.5; Costa 6 (Aspas 80).
Subs not used: Arrizabalaga, Reina, Saul, Thiago, Lucas, Odriozola, Azpilicueta, Monreal
Manager: Fernando Hierro 5
Goals: Ignashevich OG (12)
Russia (5-3-1-1): Akinfeev 9; Mario Fernandes 7, Kutepov 7.5, Ignashevich 7, Kudriashov 7, Zhirkov 6 (Granat 46, 7); Samedov 6.5 (Cheryshev 6, 61), Zobnin 7, Kuziaev 6.5 (Erokhin 6, 97); Golovin 7; Dzyuba 7 (Smolov 65, 6)
Subs not used: Lunev, Gabulov, Semenov, Gazinsky, Dzagoev, AL Miranchuk, AN Miranchuk
Manager: Stanislav Cherchesov 9.5
Goals: Dzyuba (41)
Referee: Bjorn Kuipers 6.5
Ratings by Martin Samuel
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