13 things we loved on day 18: Schmeichel, Southgate, Drury & more
Russia and Croatia both progressed to the World Cup quarter finals in dramatic penalty shoot-outs as Spain and Denmark bowed out of the competition.
Impressively, three of the four goalkeepers involved came away heroes, as Igor Akinfeev saved two Spanish attempts for the hosts, while Kasper Schmeichel also saved two, having also kept out Luka Modric late in extra time before his side eventually lost on spot kicks.
Croatia stopper Danijel Subasic set one of three records for the day, there was some stunning commentary from Peter Drury and a lot of hope in England.
Peter Drury
A true footballing demi-God.
The tempo of Peter Drury's commentary is in perfect sync with this Russian fist-pumping, and I am in absolute and utter tears pic.twitter.com/9QlDarQTAt
— Adam Hurrey (@FootballCliches) July 1, 2018
Igor Akinfeev
You just had to love Russia at this moment.
The Schmeichels
Ok, there was a lot of sh*thousery involved in the penalty decision, but this was a great moment.
A proud Dad!
Peter Schmeichel watches on as son Kasper keeps Denmark in the World Cup pic.twitter.com/WdrJ0RxkoG
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 1, 2018
Spain
Set a new world record for passing and bow out of the competition all in one go.
191 – Russia 🇷🇺 have eliminated Spain from the World Cup despite completing only 191 passes in 120 minutes !
Spain 🇪🇸 have completed 1006 passes today, new record for a team since Opta started to collect this data (1966).
Punishment. #ESPRUS #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/MuYvJPaSgl
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) July 1, 2018
Russia
Their opponents, meanwhile, made a record themselves by becoming the lowest-ranked side to reach a World Cup quarter final since the rankings were introduced in 1992.
Russia are the lowest ranked team in the history of the FIFA rankings to advance to the quarterfinals of the World Cup pic.twitter.com/MfjnFouBKv
— Coral (@Coral) July 2, 2018
Danijel Subasic
The Croatian goalkeeper equalling a record that English fans won’t want to remember.
Only one keeper has saved 3 penalties in a shoot-out before Danijel Subasic
It happened exactly on this day in 2006 – approximately 12 years & 3 hours ago, when Ricardo helped #POR knock out #ENG
With Schmeichel also saving 3 today, 1 July is clearly a day for keepers!#CRODEN pic.twitter.com/sAVJewO2yP
— FIFA World Cup 🏆 (@FIFAWorldCup) July 1, 2018
Benjamin Pavard
After his stunning goal against Argentina, Pavard was sent an emotional message from his parents, which was played to him live on television.
In his reaction, he explains he has lived away from his parents for most of his life. They say in the video: “We are going through something amazing thanks to you.”
#Téléfoot
Les larmes de @BenPavard28 après le message émouvant de ses parents 😍😍 pic.twitter.com/oTtq5ffA2C— Téléfoot (@telefoot_TF1) July 1, 2018
Nacho
Bit of blue for t’dads.
Come on Nacho! Not in public. pic.twitter.com/0Mq0qlXYsm
— Ad Space Ghana ™ (@AdSpaceGhana) July 2, 2018
Kevin Kilbane
Really Kev?
Kevin Kilbane: “Carles Puyol asked for my shirt in 2002.”
Backdated 16-year-old @_DHOTYA.
— Nick Murphy (@NickMurphy1995) July 1, 2018
Home
Is where football is coming. Yet another reason.
Oh. My. Word.
That is the first time both teams have scored inside 5 minutes of a World Cup game since..
1966 😳
— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) July 1, 2018
Own goals
The stars are aligning. We need to stop getting giddy.
2 – Russia are the first team to score multiple own goals in a World Cup tournament since 1966, when Bulgaria conceded two. Sabotage. #ESPRUS #RUS #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/43JkSsqM8g
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 1, 2018
Gareth Southgate
Waistcoat sales are actually increasing and that alone is bloody brilliant. We love you, Gareth.
Gareth Southgate: Fashion icon? 👀
Waistcoat sales are up by 35% as people copy the @England manager's style. 👔
World Cup Daily Podcast 🎙️⚽️ https://t.co/X4R5uSJmVB#WorldCup #bbcworldcup pic.twitter.com/hUuT3Jraz5
— BBC 5 live Sport (@5liveSport) July 1, 2018
Inexperience
This is a very good stat, and one to give England’s fearless young side a bit of belief.
The excellent Darren Cann has provided me with this :
The last 3 countries to win The #WorldCup are out.
Every single player left in has never won it…& amazingly, none of the players left in the competition have ever played in a World Cup Final.
— Sam Matterface (@sammatterface) July 1, 2018
More World Cup
The three wonderful steps of Benjamin Pavard’s perfect World Cup goal
11 reasons why football is *definitely* coming home this summer
Picked last: The surprising influence of the World Cup number 23s