Russia fight back to draw 3-3 with Spain in thriller
Soccer Football - International Friendly - Russia vs Spain - Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg, Russia - November 14, 2017 Spain’s Rodrigo collides with Russia’s Andrey Lunev REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov
ST PETERSBURG (Reuters) - World Cup hosts Russia showed fighting spirit to twice battle back from a goal down to draw 3-3 with Spain on Tuesday, ending a six-game winning streak for Julen Lopetegui's visiting side.
Spain took control in the first half with a ninth-minute header from Jordi Alba and a fortuitous penalty for handball which defender Sergio Ramos coolly converted in the 35th.
Russia, who drew with Iran and lost to Argentina in their previous two friendlies as they build up to the 2018 finals, got back into the game with a brilliantly-worked team move finished off by striker Fedor Smolov four minutes before halftime.
Soccer Football - International Friendly - Russia vs Spain - Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg, Russia - November 14, 2017 Spain’s Rodrigo collides with Russia’s Andrey Lunev REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov
Midfielder Alexei Miranchuk then ghosted in at the near post to equalise five minutes into the second half, although Spain quickly reestablished their lead three minutes later thanks to another penalty scored by captain Ramos.
However, Russia hit back again with another lightning move, recovering the ball following a Spain throw-in and working the ball to Krasnodar striker Smolov, top scorer in the Russian Premier League for the last two seasons, who unleashed a deadly strike past helpless keeper David de Gea in the 70th.
It was the first time Spain had conceded more than two goals in 90 minutes since they were hammered 5-1 by the Netherlands in the opening game of the 2014 World Cup.
Soccer Football - International Friendly - Russia vs Spain - Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg, Russia - November 14, 2017 Russia’s Aleksey Miranchuk in action with Spain’s Asier Illarramendi REUTERS/Anton Vaganov
They could even have suffered a first defeat under Lopetegui when Smolov cut inside the area but De Gea kept out his shot.
In the last minute of normal time Spain forward Rodrigo Moreno tried to reach a loose ball and collided with Russia keeper Andrey Lunev, who had to be carried off on a stretcher.
Soccer Football - International Friendly - Russia vs Spain - Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg, Russia - November 14, 2017 Russia fans REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov
(Reporting by Richard Martin; Editing by Ken Ferris)
Soccer Football - International Friendly - Russia vs Spain - Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg, Russia - November 14, 2017 Russia’s Fedor Smolov celebrates scoring their third goal REUTERS/Maxim ShemetovSoccer Football - International Friendly - Russia vs Spain - Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg, Russia - November 14, 2017 Russia’s Aleksandr Kokorin in action with Spain’s Saul Niguez REUTERS/Maxim ShemetovSoccer Football - International Friendly - Russia vs Spain - Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg, Russia - November 14, 2017 Russia’s Aleksey Miranchuk celebrates scoring their second goal with Igor Smolnikov REUTERS/Maxim ShemetovSoccer Football - International Friendly - Russia vs Spain - Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg, Russia - November 14, 2017 Spain’s Sergio Ramos celebrates scoring their third goal from the penalty spot REUTERS/Maxim ShemetovSoccer Football - International Friendly - Russia vs Spain - Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg, Russia - November 14, 2017 Spain’s Sergio Ramos in action with Russia’s Alan Dzagoev REUTERS/Anton VaganovSoccer Football - International Friendly - Russia vs Spain - Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg, Russia - November 14, 2017 Spain’s Sergio Ramos scores their third goal from the penalty spot REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov
Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
