RUSSIA SPOILS SPAIN’S WORLD CUP HOPES

• Hosts Russia knocked out Spain after first penalty shoot-out of the tournament 
• Russia fans partied in the streets after beating former champs against the odds 
• They were joined by England supporters who also toasted to the hosts' success
• Spain were thought to be one of England's biggest obstacles on route to the final

Spain's Sergio Ramos cries as coach Fernando Hierro comforts him after loosing the penalty shootout to Russia

Russians dance on the streets of Moscow after their historic win. Russia were the lowest ranked country on the FIFA world rankings heading into the tournament

The hero of the hour was Russian goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev who saved two Spain penalties 

‘For Putin it is a wonderful result. He wants to be there at he final with Russia having played a good tournament. 

‘A lot of money has been spent on his World Cup and Russians will want to see some money coming back. ‘So it’s a political and sporting victory for Russia tonight.’ 

Russians danced and sang in the streets outside the stadium while Spanish fans hugged them and wished them well. 

WC2018 : A perfect start for the hosts! | Malam Raya Arab Saudi tumbang teruk!

 

Luzhniki Stadium

Denis Cheryshev scored a brace and Aleksandr Golovin starred as Russia kicked off their first home World Cup with a rampant 5-0 Group A win over a lacklustre Saudi Arabia side in Moscow.

Yuri Gazinskiy and Cheryshev struck first-half goals to open their international accounts at Luzhniki Stadium, Artem Dzyuba adding a third 89 seconds after his introduction as a second-half replacement, but an injury to star man Alan Dzagoev will cause concern for Russia.

Ronaldo, Portugal beat Russia 1-0 {espn & dailymail}

An eighth-minute header from Portugal's captain earned victory vs. Russia. Ronaldo's header, from a Raphael Guerreiro cross, means the European champions go top of Group A at the Confederations Cup.  

With his rivals on holiday, Ronaldo just keeps on scoring... star nets 13th goal in eight matches to fire Portugal to win over Russia

A kiss to melt a million hearts: Ronaldo's sweet moment for disabled mascot after she led out Portugal at Confederations Cup

Piala Konfederasi : Tuan rumah raih kemenangan | Portugal Mexico seri | Australia bg saingan trhdp Jerman

17 JUN 2017 : RUSSIA 2 New Zealand 0

18 JUN 2017 : PORTUGAL 2 MEXICO 2 | Cameroon 0 CHILE 2

 Pepe in action Photograph: Sergey Dolzhenko/EPA

19 JUN 2017 : Australia 2 GERMANY 3

WALES terus cemerlang...ungguli kedudukan teratas kumpulan | England sekadar seri dgn Slovakia

Russia score late to earn draw with England

Russia scored in stoppage time to stun England and earn a 1-1 draw in their European Championship opener in Group B at Marseille's Stade Velodrome.

Vasili Berezutski's goal cancelled out Eric Dier's second-half free kick and ruined England's hopes of finally opening the competition with a victory.

England, with Wayne Rooney in midfield, adopted a positive approach and had a number of scoring chances in the first half, but they could not beat Russia keeper Igor Akinfeev.

England's bright start and weak finish meant they were forced to settle for a draw vs. Russia in their Euro opener.

Russia showed signs of improvement in the second half, and Gary Cahill needed to make a fine challenge after a pass across goal from Aleksandr Kokorin early on.

England were in control, though, and Wayne Rooney nearly gave them the lead on 71 minutes when Danny Rose's low cross deflected into his path inside the area, but Akinfeev was able to divert his shot onto the crossbar. Adam Lallana struck the post with the follow-up but was flagged offside.

Roy Hodgson waited until late to make changes, trusting his side to finish the job, but it didn't pan out.

They did not have to wait long, though. England were awarded a free kick on the edge of the area for a foul on Dele Alli, and Dier unexpectedly stepped up to smash the ball past Akinfeev.

But out of nothing, Russia forced a corner and Georgy Schennikov sent in a cross that Berezutski headed over stranded goalkeeper Joe Hart in the 92nd minute to salvage a point.

UE2016 : England Russia seri | Switzerland, Wales permulaan baik...

MOTM : ERIC DIER {ENGLAND)

Granit Xhaka impressed for Switzerland in a game that saw him face brother Taulant.

MOTM : GRANIT XHAKA (SWITZERLAND)

MOTM : JOE ALLEN (WALES)