Russia take on Spain on Sunday afternoon at Moscow's Luzhniki stadium after reaching the knockout stage of the tournament for the first time in the post-Soviet era.
This is Russia's first appearance in the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup as a standalone nation. USSR last featured at Mexico 1986 when they reached the last-16
The other last-16 match pits a talented Croatia team led by Luka Modric against Denmark, but the sides in action will struggle to emulate the drama of Saturday's first two last-16 matches.
Russia came into the tournament derided by their own supporters after a string of defeats in warm-up matches but they thrashed Saudi Arabia 5-0 in their opener and then swept aside Egypt 3-1, making even their own sceptical public believe.
A comprehensive defeat to Uruguay provided a reality check but Russia and midfielder Denis Cheryshev will be roared on by much of the 80,000-crowd in the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow and they see no reason to fear Andres Iniesta, Isco and Diego Costa.
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Here's how #ESP and #RUS will begin in Moscow ????#ESPRUS pic.twitter.com/FtetYgKCtG — FIFA World Cup ???? (@FIFAWorldCup) July 1, 2018
