A World Cup Abstract: Russia 1 (4), Spain 1 (3)

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A World Cup Abstract: Russia 1 (4), Spain 1 (3) 

Post#1 » by RealGM Articles » Sun Jul 1, 2018 5:05 pm

 

  1. You knew who was winning this match if it survived to penalties.
  2. During Spain’s three-title run from 2008 until 2012, Xavi routinely averaged the most passes in each tournament.
  3. Sergio Ramos led this version of Spain in passes and completed a World Cup record 141 in the first 90 minutes. Not a single one of his passes went into the final third and nearly all of them were unappealingly sent sideways.
  4. Spain went past the 1,000-pass mark during the first half of Extra Time. Most of the passes were unimpeded and tentative. They were luxurious form over goal seeking function.
  5. Ramos created the opening goal of the match in Ramos-esque fashion when he put himself in position right in front of goal and held up long enough as he was tackled by Sergei Ignashevich to create the own goal off the Marco Asensio free kick.
  6. Russia equalized when winning a free kick off a sloppy hand ball from Gerard Pique.
  7. World Cup host countries typically overachieve.
  8. You knew who was winning this match if it survived to penalties.
  9. Spain’s passing is far more innocuous than it was during the Xavi era, but the absence of fatigue from Russia was remarkable nonetheless. There were no opportunities for Spain to walk it in as they so often did in the past. Few of their chances were encouraging. Their quest for a goal felt metaphysical.
  10. Andres Iniesta didn’t start for the first time since the 2010 World Cup against Honduras when he was out with an injury.
  11. Iniesta splattered the post in the 84th minute against Russia with the score tied 1-1.
  12. You knew who was winning this match if it survived to penalties.
  13. The most threatening sequences involved Iniesta.
  14. Spain stubbornly fired Julen Lopetegui on the eve of the World Cup as manager when he secretly reached agreement to join Real Madrid.
  15. Spain didn’t put on a second striker until the end of the first period of Extra Time.
  16. Spain left Alvaro Morata off their World Cup roster.
  17. Spain’s best chance in Extra Time came out a gorgeous dummy from Rodrigo at the half-way line to create a rare counter.
  18. Russia felt unsinkable from the moment they equalized.
  19. Sergio Ramos nearly back heeled a goal in the 113th minute off a free kick as he was being dragged down again.
  20. You knew who was winning this match if it survived to penalties.

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