Another giant has been slayed.
Spain was knocked out by Russia in a penalty shootout, which has the Spanish media questioning the federation’s decision to fire coach Julen Lopetegui just days before the World Cup.
Elsewhere, Croatia also needed a shootout to edge Denmark, wrapping up a spot in the quarterfinals against the hosting Russians.
Here are three winners and three losers from Day 17 of the 2018 World Cup.
WINNERS
Mario Fernandes, Ilya Kutepov
Entering this match, Spain’s shape was very left-side heavy. Most of its attacks were created via that flank through Andres Iniesta and Isco, but without Iniesta starting, the task was made slightly easier.
Regardless, Spain continued to favour the left. That is why Russian defenders Mario Fernandes and Ilya Kutepov are big winners on Sunday.
Trying to contain a dynamic player like Isco, or the marauding Jordi Alba from left-back, is always a tough ask for any defender. But credit Fernandes and Kutepov, who were positionally disciplined throughout the 120 minutes.
Fernandes and Kutepov combined for four tackles, nine interceptions and 18 ball recoveries. The former was also involved in most of Russia’s build-up play in the final third as well, despite his taxing defensive duties.
Luka Modric
After Luka Modric’s penalty in extra time was saved by Denmark’s Kasper Schmeichel, which would’ve been the winning goal, he responded emphatically in the shootout.
It takes immense mental strength to overcome a missed or saved penalty in a knockout stage match at a World Cup. But Modric has won four Champions League titles with Real Madrid and has dominated on the big stage, so he’s used to the pressure.
Let’s not forget about the stunning through ball to Ante Rebic that led to the spot kick. Modric saw the open space between the centre-backs, identified Rebic’s run and laid a perfect pass through the lane. An incredible moment from an incredible player.
The neutral
Unless you’re Spanish, Russian, Croatian or Danish, those matches were full of enjoyable drama.
Day 17 produced two penalty shootouts, a surprising victory by Russia over a World Cup favourite and more upsets, which has become the theme of this tournament.
With Brazil yet to play their round-of-16 match versus Mexico, we may have even more wild twists before the quarterfinals kick off.
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LOSERS
The Spanish federation
Since winning Euro 2012, Spain has been eliminated from the World Cup in the group stage, the round of 16 and the first knockout round of Euro 2016.
That’s not to say the system is broken. Far from it. But the decision to fire Julen Lopetegui and replace him with Fernando Hierro, who had two years of coaching experience entering the tournament, will be a talking point in the Spanish media.
The federation’s president, Luis Rubiales, didn’t want to look like a weak president. Lopetegui failing to inform Rubiales about accepting the Real Madrid job was the only reason the decision was made.
Lopetegui had a close bond with the players. He was slowly ushering in a new generation of players like Marco Asensio, Alvaro Odriozola and Saul. Six players under the age of 23 had been called up in the last 12 months, too. It was evident there was a clear identity and a structure.
If Gerard Pique didn’t commit the handball in the box, or if Spain emerged victorious in the shootout, then this discussion would be delayed. But this is undoubtedly a black mark on Rubiales’s short tenure as RFEF president.
Denmark attack
Christian Eriksen has been very decisive for Denmark at this World Cup. Look at his assist for Yussuf Poulsen’s goal versus Peru as an example.
Eriksen was tasked with breaking down Croatia’s compact defence on Sunday. That’s been Denmark’s modus operandi through three games, and they struggled mightily.
Even though Eriksen was finding the pockets of space to try and cut through the Croatian back line, none of Poulsen, Andreas Cornelius or Martin Braithwaite were making positive runs.
Credit Croatia’s centre-backs in Domagoj Vida and Dejan Lovren for ensuring there was little space to roam in the box. However, considering the Danes’ incisiveness in the final third during the group stage, it was curious how the forwards suddenly appeared bereft of ideas.
Perhaps Nicolai Jorgensen and Pione Sisto from the start would have led to a different outcome.
The aura of the ‘favourite’
It might be too early to determine whether this uncertainty and these upsets will become consistent trends in the future. However, this is surely one of the most exciting World Cups in recent memory given the unpredictability.
That is why Brazil and France, the two odds-on favourites to win the World Cup, should be on high alert.
The supposedly inferior sides are frustrating the big boys. Spain suffered that fate against Russia in the early match of the day. Mexico and South Korea did it to Germany as well.
Who’s to say El Tri doesn’t pull off another stunning upset over Brazil on Monday?
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