FIFA World Cup: Russia, Croatia Advance To Quarterfinals After Winning PK Shootouts

Two more games in the FIFA World Cup's Round of 16 were contested in Russia on Sunday.


At Moscow (Luzhniki Stadium)

After a 1-1 draw at the end of regulation, followed by 30 scoreless overtime minutes, Fyodor Smolov, Sergei Ignashevich, Aleksandr Golovin, and Denis Cheryshev each converted a spot kick while goalkeeper Igor Akinkeev (that's him celebrating) came up with two key saves as Russia won the penalty-kick shootout, 4-3 over Spain, advancing to the quarterfinal round for the first time since Soviet Union days in 1970.


Associated Press photo by Matthias Schrader






At Nizhny Novgorod:

After a 1-1 regulation draw, followed by 30 minutes of goal-free overtime, Andrej Kramaric, Luca Modric (whose penalty-kick try in the 116th minute was saved by goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel), and Ivan Rakitic each converted a spot kick as Croatia, with goalkeeper Danijel Subasic coming up with three big saves, took out Denmark 3-2 in the penalty-kick shootout, advancing to the quarterfinals for the first time since 1998.


Here, we see the happy Croatians celebrating, with the dejected Danes in the background.


Associated Press photo by Gregorio Borgia




Next Sunday, Russia will take on Croatia in a quarterfinal contest at Olympic Stadium in Sochi (11:00 AM Pacific Time).