Spain and Denmark out of world cup after penalty shoot outs

SUMMARY

Penalties. Love them or hate them, they dominated Sunday's knockout matches at the World Cup, and not just because both games ended in shootouts. Russia might not have been able to hang in with Spain were it not for Gerard Pique flinging his arm at a header in the area, drawing a penalty that Artem Dzyuba converted to make it 1-1. Luka Modric has had a masterful tournament for Croatia but was bested by Danish 'keeper Kasper Schmeichel in the dying moments of injury time when he could have won it from the spot. In the shootouts, the goalkeepers stood even taller. Igor Akinfeev saved two of Spain's five shots as the hosts shocked the 2010 champions in Moscow. Schmeichel saved two more himself, cheered on by his famous father, longtime Manchester United net minder Peter Schmeichel, the best in the world in his day. Ultimately though, Schmeichel was matched and Denmark was denied by Croatian 'keeper Danijel Subasic, who joined Ricardo of Portugal as the only men to save three penalties in a single World Cup shootout.

By APJul 2, 2018 2:37:23 PM IST (Updated)

Russia's Artyom Dzyuba celebrates scoring his side's opening goal during the round of 16 match between Spain and Russia at the 2018 soccer World Cup at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, July 1, 2018. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

Spain's Andres Iniesta falls during the round of 16 match between Spain and Russia at the 2018 soccer World Cup at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, July 1, 2018. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Russia goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev catches a penalty shot during the round of 16 match between Spain and Russia at the 2018 soccer World Cup at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, July 1, 2018. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano)

Spain's Andres Iniesta, right, watches with teammates after Spain were defeated in a penalty shoot out by Russia in the round of 16 match between Spain and Russia at the 2018 soccer World Cup at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, July 1, 2018. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Russia soccer fans celebrate their team victory against Spain in Red Square after the round of 16 match between Spain and Russia at the 2018 soccer World Cup at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, July 1, 2018. Russia shocks Spain at the World Cup, beating the 2010 champion 4-3 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

Croatia goalkeeper Danijel Subasic, left on the pitch, looks at the ball after Denmark's Mathias Jorgensen scored the opening goal during the round of 16 match between Croatia and Denmark at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, in Nizhny Novgorod , Russia, Sunday, July 1, 2018. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

Croatia's Mario Mandzukic, right, celebrates with his teammates after scoring the opening goal of his team during the round of 16 match between Croatia and Denmark at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, Saturday, July 1, 2018. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel saves the penalty kick by Croatia's Luka Modric during the round of 16 match between Croatia and Denmark at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, in Nizhny Novgorod , Russia, Sunday, July 1, 2018. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Croatia goalkeeper Danijel Subasic, front, secures the ball next to Denmark's Yussuf Yurary Poulsen, right, during the round of 16 match between Croatia and Denmark at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, Sunday, July 1, 2018. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

Croatians players celebrate after the penalties during the round of 16 match between Croatia and Denmark at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, Sunday, July 1, 2018. Croatia eliminates Denmark 3-2 on penalties after game ends 1-1. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)