Despite two deletions: how Russia beat Spain in the beach soccer World Cup quarterfinals

In rivals in the quarterfinals of the home championship of the planet, the Russian national team received not the most convenient opponent - Spain, which ranks fifth in the world ranking. If the wards of Mikhail Likhachev would have taken the second line in their quartet, they would have played with the less dangerous Tahiti. On the other hand, Teva Zaveroni's team in the group just took over the Red Fury - 12: 8.

One way or another, on Thursday, fans witnessed a real classic of beach football, because the paths of Russia and Spain intersect regularly at major tournaments. The last time they met literally a couple of months ago in the Euroleague, and Our Boys won then in extra time - 6: 5. Moreover, in the course of the fight, they were behind 0: 3, but managed to make an impressive comeback. But in the semifinals of the 2019 Intercontinental Cup, the opponent turned out to be stronger (4: 2) and, as a result, won silver.

In the final stage of the World Cup, the principal rivals came together only once, but immediately in the final.

In 2013, the Russians arrived in Tahiti with the rank of a trophy holder and successfully defended it.

The venerable opponent could do nothing with the reigning champion.

If the first period ended without goals, then in the second, Anton Shkarin, Kirill Romanov and Yuri Krasheninnikov provided the team with a solid advantage.

Then Lorenz Leon Gomez reduced the gap, but all the same Krasheninnikov and Dmitry Shishin consolidated the success of the winner - 5: 1.

From the composition of that golden team in the ranks until the home world championship, all the goal authors remained, as well as Alexei Makarov and, of course, the head coach Likhachev.

By the way, on the eve of the quarterfinals, he drew parallels with the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

“It's always a fantastic sign.

We will await the duel with trepidation.

The Spaniards have a very cool and strong team.

They proved it here too.

In my opinion, the opponent is in excellent shape.

But the world championship in Russia is in Moscow.

Meeting Russia - Spain.

Does this remind you of anything? "

- reminded the specialist.

Shortly before the start of the meeting, a downpour began in the capital, which affected the quality of the coverage.

The sand became quite hard, and the ball bounced off it much more often than in dry weather.

However, this did not affect the actions of the owners.

The Russian national team immediately seized the initiative, as in the match with Japan, and suppressed the eminent opponent with high pressure.

The Spaniards were practically not allowed to launch attacks.

But the sharpness at their gates was constantly felt.

Likhachev's wards every now and then created approaches.

And in the middle of the period, the pressure finally turned into a goal.

It is noteworthy that he was scored by the debutant of the World Championships, Andrei Kotenev.

After transferring Shkarin from the right flank, he sent a projectile into the near corner in touch.

In the previous game, the forward gave an assist, and now he distinguished himself on his own.

After that, the Russians calmed down a bit and gave their opponent the opportunity to prove themselves.

But the "Red Fury", as a rule, created chances only after the play of set pieces.

So, one of the corners almost ended with a goal.

Maxim Chuzhkov with great difficulty stopped the ball on the ribbon.

But the guests succeeded in using "little football tricks".

They often tried to provoke rivals and fell on the sand at the first opportunity.

So, already at the beginning of the match, Fedor Zemskov and Francisco Jose Chintas received a card.

And then Makarov was shown a yellow card for hitting Chika on the head.

He, of course, in this episode portrayed mortal torment.

However, this did not help the guests either.

The two-time world champions also started the second period very powerfully and literally crushed their opponents.

In a little more than two minutes, they managed to hit Dona's goal twice.

First, Nikonorov scored the fourth goal in the tournament.

The striker instantly got to his feet after a hard collision with the goalkeeper, received a pass from a partner and turned the projectile on target.

And then Makarov scored an extremely curious goal.

From a long enough free kick, he struck a creeping blow, and the ball, jumping right in front of Dona, ended up in the net.

What was happening was already very reminiscent of a meeting with Japan.

Unfortunately, this was the end of the pleasant events for the domestic fans.

The second half of the period turned out to be extremely unsuccessful for the Likhachev team.

To begin with, Edu Suarez cut the backlog with a free-kick.

Then Nikonorov was injured in a collision with the goalkeeper.

Finally, again Makarov could not restrain his emotions.

Alexey touched Riduan Buzan in the face with his elbow and received a second yellow card from the judge.

The enraged football player tried to deal with the opponent right on the sand, but Zemskov saved him from reprisal.

The Spaniards managed to realize the majority quickly enough.

Two minutes before the break, Antonio Mayor calmly juggled the ball, took aim and accurately shot into the near nine.

So, the intrigue in the confrontation was revived, and the guests felt confident in themselves.

However, the Russians also had chances.

So, after Kosharny's hit, the ball hit the crossbar and, it seemed, sank over the line.

But the judges did not record a goal despite the claims from the hosts' coaching staff.

The final period was also very difficult, but it showed that the Russian national team has a truly champion character.

Inspired by the Spaniards, with renewed vigor, they began to storm the gate and completely seized the initiative.

At such a moment, one could flinch, but the experienced wards of Likhachev held on.

The real example of reliability was Kosharny, who, during the game, once again replaced Chuzhkov.

I especially remember his save after a dangerous blow through himself.

Then the goalkeeper boldly threw himself at the opponent's feet and, at the risk of injury, neutralized the threat.

Romanov and Shishin collided with each other.

It took them a couple of minutes to recover.

But there was no question of taking a break.

Everyone was ready to die on the sand.

The same was true for Nikonorov, who with a sick ankle fought for the ball in the opponent's half.

It was very hard for the owners 3 minutes and 20 seconds before the end of regular time, when Zemskov received the second yellow card, carelessly rushing into the tackle at the opponent's gate.

Russia had two more minutes to spend in the majority.

But the team did not flinch even at this difficult moment.

Four players fought like lions, and then they also scored.

Arthur Ferorotny, with his last strength, dragged the ball along the right flank, won it from two opponents near the corner flag and rolled it past the goalkeeper who jumped out to intercept - 4: 2.

After the fourth field appeared on the court, it became clear that the game was done.

The Spaniards no longer had the strength or the emotion to fight.

And the Russians, showing character, made their way to the semifinals of the home world championship.