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Spain come into the game off the back of being pushed all the way by a stubborn Morocco side in a 2-2 thriller in Kaliningrad.
David
de Gea has conceded a whopping five goals from just six shots on target
in the WC so far.
But Spain boss Fernando Hierro has confirmed that the
Man Utd star will keep his place between the sticks against Russia.
Russia have kept just one clean sheet in their last 13 games.
Venue: Luzhniki Arena (Moscow)
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Preview
The third last-16 clash of the 2018 FIFA World Cup (WC) sees Spain and
hosts Russia go head-to-head at the magnificent 81,000-seater Luzhniki
Stadium in Moscow.
Spain come into the game off the back of being pushed all the way by a stubborn Morocco side in a 2-2 thriller in Kaliningrad.
A lovely
91st-minute backheel flick from Iago Aspas - initially ruled out for
offside and then reinstated by VAR - ensured that Spain finished top of
Group B (W1, D2, L0, +1)
Group A runners-up Russia (W2, D0, L1, +4), who are making their first
appearance in the WC knockout stages since 1986, sealed their place in
the last-16 with a game to spare after beating Saudi Arabia (5-0) and
Egypt (3-1).
Stanislav Cherchesov’s side suffered a comprehensive 3-0
defeat to Uruguay in their final group encounter.
Spain have never been beaten by Russia (W4, D2, GF12, GA4) and boast a perfect record against the Russians in major tournaments (W3, D0, L0, GF8, GA1).
The two sides played out a 3-3 friendly draw in their last meeting back in November 2017
Iago Aspas Juncal is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a striker for RC Celta de Vigo and the Spain national team.
No Spain player is hotter than Aspas right now. The quick-witted striker has reached six goals for the national team faster than anybody else (382 minutes).
Spain are now unbeaten in their last 23 games (W15, D8) and haven’t failed to score in any of those matches.
Spain have never been beaten by Russia (W4, D2, GF12, GA4) and boast a perfect record against the Russians in major tournaments (W3, D0, L0, GF8, GA1).
The two sides played out a 3-3 friendly draw in their last meeting back in November 2017
Players to watch
Iago Aspas Juncal is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a striker for RC Celta de Vigo and the Spain national team.
No Spain player is hotter than Aspas right now. The quick-witted striker has reached six goals for the national team faster than anybody else (382 minutes).
Russia's Denis Cheryshev celebrates after scoring his team second goal during the group A match
Denis Cheryshev was the joint-third top scorer in the group stage alongside Diego Costa with three goals.
Stat attack
Russia have kept just one clean sheet in their last 13 games.
Russia were the most clinical team in the group stage with a conversion rate of 25.9%
Will not play
(RUS) Smolnikov I. (Red Card)
Probably will not play
(SPA)Pique G. (Ankle Injury)
Match Information
Venue: Luzhniki Arena (Moscow)
Time: 15:00
Pre-match facts - World Cup - Play Offs
- Spain are undefeated in their last 14 matches.
- Russia have gone 3 consecutive matches without a draw.
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