Morning, LOBers! How fabulous was that first day of Round of 16 action? Bloody marvelous, that was! This tournament is shaping up to be the best one since 1982 in my view. Here's hoping today's matches live up to it. We start with 2010 World Cup winners Spain against the hosts Russia. Putin's gang impressed in an admittedly weak Group A, while Spain managed Group B with maximum efficiency, rarely getting out of second gear.
Later in the day, we've got the dynamic Croatian team that crushed Argentina's dreams against a plucky Danish side that road their luck in Group, placing second to heavy favorites France. I should be a fascinating day of action on the tough side of the bracket. Join me for all the fun!
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The teams now coming out:
Russia: Akinfeev; Fernandes, Kutepov, Iganshevich, Kudriashov, Zhirkov; Kuziaev, Zobnin, Samedov, Golovin; Dzyuba
Subs: Semenov, Cheryshev, Gazinskii, Dzagoev, Smolov, Lunev, Granat, Al Miranchuk, An Miranchuk, Gabulov, Erokhin
Spain: De Gea; Nacho, Pique, Ramos, Alba; Koke, Busquets; Silva, Isco, Asensio; Costa
Subs: Kepa, Reina, Carvajal, Iniesta, Alcantara, Odriozola, Azpilicueta, Niguez, Vazquez, Machado, Aspas
Referee: B Kuipers (Ned)
Unfortunately, we've got the commentary team of Derek Rae and Ally Wagner on the mics today.
Alan Dzageov has recovered from the injury he suffered at the start of the group stages but begins here on the bench, alongside Cheryshev. Smolnikov is suspended following his red card against Uruguay. It seems the hosts have shifted to a formation with three centrebacks. Meanwhile, Spain’s novice manager Fernando Hierro has made three chances to the lineup that started their last group game. Nacho returns at right-back in place of Carvajal while Koke and Asensio come into midfield ahead of Iniesta and Alcantata.
Spain vs Russia underway from Moscow
We're away in Moscow - now, there's no messing about this morning. The Spanish should be putting these Putinites to the sword early on.
Golovin wins a corner off of Pique. It's cleared
Russia making a better fist of it so far than I'd expected. I thought that they might just park the bus and then play out to the big lump Dzyuba.
Some Nachos were aggressively Jerked off for a Spain free kick
It must be a useful motivational tool for the Russians to be able to say, "You win or polonium in soup."
Boom boom, MUR!
GOAL! Ramos creeps in at the backpost and scores Spain's opener!
Actually - on the replay it looks to be an own goal!
I wonder if Ramos wasn't pulling the Russian defender Iganshevich as they were going for that one.
GOAL! Russia's 38 year old defender put the free kick past his keeper for an OG as he was pressured by Ramos
Long range Russian effort high and wide
Peter Dreary, living up to hi name, with a dreary statistic as that was the oldest person to score an OG at the World Cup
Nice one, MUR!
Now that Spain have a goal, they're just choking the game to death with possession.
Paul Doyle on the Guardian blog: "Spain’s play at the moment can best be described as like my performance at a Mensa quiz. Pass. Pass. Pass. Pass. Pass. Pass ...."
Dzobin wins a corner off of Biscuits
A rare set piece chance for the Russians now.
Russia opt for a short corner routine that comes of nothing. Who do they think they are Barcelona? Lump it into the box like you're supposed to, you numpties!
Teken short and Spain get the ball back so they can put together another century of passes to bloody nowhere
Ole football now from Spain taunting the Russians to come and get the ball off them.
De Gea could be off having a sangria and some tapas right now. Spain extremely relaxed and just having the Russians chase after them.
The Russian fans are clearly not that fussed that they're behind, as The Wave has broken out in the stands.
Neither side has had a shot on target
LOL, Bob. Quite right. It's just a Sunday afternoon at the park for the Russian fans
Oh - Golovin goes close there. A bit of a scare for the Spanish. Maybe that will bring them to life.
Best Russian possession of the match , putting together some passes and Golovin not too far wide by Golovin from just outside the box
Russia wins a corner. Samedov to take
Bit of Russian pressure now - corner for them....
Penalty to Russia - handball off Pique!
And Pique gets a yellow - lovely!
Penalty Russia . Samedov headed for corner on Piques hand and the penalty was called. pique booked for dissent
Right on the stroke of half-time, Spain have a chance to level this one. Dzyuba to take....
And scores! Cool as a cucumber!
1-1 Game on!
Dzuyba scores.Its 1-1 as he put it in the corner sending De Gea the wrong way
Clumsy by Samedov on Jordi Alba. Just a lecture
Spain predictable spring to life again. Cynical sods.
A pair of stoppage time minutes
Oh - Costa got in behind there but the keeper did well to shut him down.
Costa heads a cross straight to Akinfeev
It's 1-1 at the half. The goals were a penalty and an OG .Most noticeable for errors by senior center halves.
Second half underway
Russian substitution as one has been Jerked on to the pitch
Second half starting up; the match is nicely poised. Grant on for Yuri Zhirkov.
Alba failed to make proper contact and Akinfeev made an easy save
Oh - bit of a scramble in the Russian box.
Iniesta warming up for Spain
Golovin with a clumsy challenge
Costa heads over the free kick from Koke.
Spanish free kick from a territory not too far away from the goal. Nothing doing.
More pressure now from the Spanish - but not terribly effective.
Kutepov booked for a foul on Isco
Kutepov picks up a needless yellow card.
Horrible free kick from Isco cleared by the first man
Samedov wins a corner off Ramos.
Samedov pressures Ramos into conceding a corner
Oh - nice move between Diego Costa and the Isco Kid. Wins a corner.
Costa wins Spains first corner of the match off the 38 year old. Corner from Isco cleared by the first man
Cross from Nacho headed wide by Silva
Cherries Off on for Samedov, who took all the Russian set pieces
Cheryshev on, Samedov on. The home crowd very much approve of that!
Ramos obstructs Fernandes
Master of the Dark Arts Ramos deserved a yellow card for that elbow.
Final roll of the Russian dice as Small Off on for Big Dzuyba , who was spot on
Smolov on for big Dzyuba. That's Russia's last chance.
Old geezer Iniesta about to come on for Spain.
Golovin goes down looking for a penalty. Ref having none of it
Iniesta on as a sub . Is there a Silva lining for Spain
David Silva off now for Iniesta and Peter Drury attempts a terrible pun - Silva for Gold.
Like for like as Carvajal on for Jordi Alba
Zobdin booked for a nasty foul
Roman Zobnin into the book now. His first.
Twenty minutes left for Spain to finish this one and avoid going to extra time.
Spain win a cheap corner. Russia have to avoid giving them set pieces.
Old man OG scorer with a miss kick for a Spanish corner
Cleared away deep into the Spanish half
Hey gents,
I am busy packing, as I am leaving for Italy tomorrow.
This Russian team is not that well suited to move out on the break in those rare occasions when Spain loses possession.
The pk was fluky, but certainly valid. In fact, I am more sure about that call than the no-call on Ramos for the own goal.
With this performance the Spanish players have not exactly been Hierros. More like villains
Spain are so slow. They have no ideas. What we are seeing here is a stalemate between two sadly limited teams.
Nice one, MUR!
Very disciplined approach from the Russians here - they're happy to take this one to extra time.
Dirty Diego comes on to be replaced by Aspas.
Final roll of the dice from our Hierros as Diego Aspas on for Costa. Will it Costa Spain any chance of advancing?
Isco has a pass cut out for a corner.
The concern here, of course, is that if there’s isn’t a goal soon, there’ll be extra-time....ten minutes or so.
Cleared out after ping pong in the box
Agreed, Bob. This one smells of extra time An extra half-hour of this dross
Nearly a handball by Mr. OG there, who's having a 'mare.
Oh - Iniesta had a chance there. Saved by Akinfeev.
Superb long range save by Akinfeev from Iniesta then saves the rebound from Aspas
Extra time is beckoning now.
Nearly a breakaway there from Russia. Smolov thinks he's reached the area but he's called back fro a foul.
Cherries Off fouls Isco
More than 800 passes but only four shots on goal.
Free kick chance for Spain. Off for a corner.
Taken short.Isco wins a corner
Corner from Koke out for another
Out for another
Ramos heads just over from the corner. A quarter of stoppage time minutes
Oh - Smolov has a go. Wide of the mark.
Well off the mark from Small Off
So we've got a the first match to go to extra time.
We're headed to EAT as it's 1-1
ET underway
At the way least, this is going to tire out the Spanish players for the next round.
Koke with a long range effort that lands in Row E.
Russia's - first time that a fourth sub has been allowed in extra time. Erokin comes on for Kuziaev.
Golovin off and Kuzaiev on . First time in World Cup history that a fourth substitution has been made
Ascensio straight to Akinfeev
Aspas with a shot blocked by old man OG
No way through for an Aspas.
Rodrigo to come on; Asencio coming off.
Spain with their fourth substitution as Rodrigo is on for Ascensio
Isco down off a challenge from Golovin
A minute of It in first half ET
Spain have a free kick now at the end of the first stoppage time minute. Pique rises to meet it but it's saved by Akinfeev.
It's HT of ET.
Second half of ET underway
And we're away in the final stretch of extra time now in Moscow. Russian fans still enjoying their day out.
Russians cling on. Not seeing how the Spaniards will thwart them as Capain Kirk and Spock did.
Rodrigo on a long solo run the shot saved by Akinfeev. Rebound from Carvajal blocked.
It's now or never for the Spanish. I cannot believe that they want to risk penalties against the hosts in front of a home crowd.
Erokin obstructs Jordi Alba
Golovin fouls Isco
Isco earns a free kick out wide left. This could be Spain's last best chance .
Big shout for a penalty there. They're surrounding the ref.
Koke free kick diverted wide
VAR review now.
Referee waves it on and the home crowd is loving it.
VAR being consulted for a possible grab in the box. Nothing doing
Now a downpour in Moscow
Small Off wins a late corner
This is a disgraceful effort by the Spanish. They should have turned over this mob.
That should be just about it.
A minute of ET in ET as Akinfeev saves from Rodrigo
Rodrigo has one last chance - smothered by Akinfeev. .
This will be decided by penalties.Still 1-1.
That's it then - it's going to penalties then. None of us predicted this one. The two points goes away .
Not a great game, but what an atmosphere!
The rain is falling mainly on the Russian Plain
Agreed,RD. It's been a poor match.
Nice My Fair Lady reference, mate!
Hiya, Red Devil! How are you?
sweaty bottoms time.
so glad I do not have a horse in this race
Iniesta up for Spain first....
Easy peasy. 1-0.
Iniesta pits Spain 1-0 ahead
Smolov for Russia now....
Levels it despite De Gea's hand. 1-1
Small Off ties it up.De Gea got a hand to in
Pique up next. Interesting choice.
In off the post. 2-1
Pique scores, sending the keeper the wrong way.2-1 Spain.
The Old Man of Russia up next.
Desmond!
Desmond as the 38 year old sends De Gea the wrong way
A bit harried. I booked the flight yesterday for tomorrow, and I have a lot of loose ends to tie up.
Koke up next....
Misses!!!!!
Terrible penalty
Akinfeev saves a horrible penalty from Koke
Cherchesov remains stone-faced.
Golovin buries his....
2-3!
Golovin puts Russia 3-2 the. Under De Gea
Sergio Ramos....
Scores!
3-3!
Ramos scores. Now 3-3
Akinfaev: have a Koke and a smile
Cherries Jubilee up next....
Scores!!!!
The next one must go in for Spain or they're out.
Cherries Off sends De Gea the wrong way.Now 4-3
Aspas up and saved!
Russia are through to the Quarterfinals!
This Russian team can beat anyone....
who sucks
He shoots off the foot of Akinfeev.Russia wins 4-3 on penalties and are through to the quarterfinals
Superb save with his legs by Akinfeev.
Well stated, RD
Very nice pun, Red Devil! Lovely!
What a bunch of bad kicks. If I had been in goal and stayed in the middle and tried to react, I would have easily saved 4 of these, perhaps 6.
Teams coming out now:
Croatia: Subasic, Vrsaljko, Lovren, Vida, Strinic, Rakitic, Brozovic, Rebic, Modric, Perisic, Mandzukic. Subs: Livakovic, Corluka, Kovacic, Kramaric, Jedvaj, Bradaric, Caleta-Car, Badelj, Pjaca, Pivaric, Lovre Kalinic.
Denmark: Schmeichel, Knudsen, Kjaer, Mathias Zanka Jorgensen, Dalsgaard, Christensen, Delaney, Eriksen, Poulsen, Cornelius, Braithwaite. Subs: Lossl, Krohn-Dehli, Vestergaard, Kvist, Nicolai Jorgensen, Dolberg, Fischer, Larsen, Lerager, Schone,
Sisto, Ronnow.
Referee: Nestor Pitana (Argentina)
It's Croatia vs Denmark
From Novgorod
Croatia playing in all black for some reason; the Danes in their white and red away kit.
They're off from Novgorod
GOAL! The Danes have shockingly scored early on!
Terrible goalkeeping there. What a clanger from Subasic!
GOAl Denmark score of a long throw from the Tractor Boys. Zanka shot underthe dive of Subasic
GOAL! The Croats level it! What a start!
Mandzukic got very fortunate there with a jammy ricochet and then the finish was far from clean. It hit every part of his leg.
GOAl! Mandzucks ties it up. Ball played into the box Danish clearance off his own player and Mandzucks smashes in from three yards out
Croatia have a free kick now right outside the area.
Zanka with a foul just outside the box
Perisic has a go and it's off a Danish head for a corner.
Perisic off the wall for a corner
What's with Perisic? I always found him so quietly dangerous. Now, he just seems quiet.
LOL! He certainly seems to be today, Red Devil.
I am pretty sure that if I pointed out how bland Cornelius has been all tournament, he would score, so I will hold off. This from a country that produced the Laudrup's and Preben-Elkjaer (if you like big powerful dudes).
Oh - Mandzucks wants a pen. Nothing doing from the Argentine ref.
Mandzucks goes down, looking for a penalty. The Big Argentina ref having none of it.
If you had asked me before the tournament who to watch for on Croatia, I would say Modric and Rakitic, but that Perisic has his moments.
I feel like he has not flashed any danger at all.
Mandzukic on the other hand, is a handful.
Croatia appears to have control, but Spain and Germany have shown how little that can be worth.
Eriksen has a shot deflected for a corner
Outside of Erickson, there does appear to be a lot of offensive competence on Denmark.
Quite a throw-in!
I like this ref. He looks like a tough guy.
He is a hard man. But I'll bet he can do a lovely tango.
Modric and Rakitic are bosses, but they are really pretty physically diminutive.
Oh Perisic....
Oh - Perisic had a real chance there. Blasted over in the end.
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