News

‘Well done guys!’ Tennis star Sharapova congratulates Russia on stunning World Cup win over Spain

1 Jul, 2018 17:32
‘Well done guys!’ Tennis star Sharapova congratulates Russia on stunning World Cup win over Spain
Get short URL https://on.rt.com/98vv
Christian Hartmann, TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY / Maxim Shemetov, Reuters

Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova has congratulated the nation’s football team after they pulled off a historic World Cup win against Spain to progress to the quarter-finals of their home tournament.

Russia prevailed in a penalty shootout at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow after the scores finished level at 1-1 at the end of extra-time.

READ MORE: Heroic hosts snatch improbable shootout victory to stun Spain in Moscow

Goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev was the hero as he saved two spot-kicks including Iago Aspas’ final spot-kick to see Russia win 4-3 on penalties.

It was a historic victory over heavy favorites Spain, and sees Russia into the last eight of the World Cup for the first time as an independent nation.

READ MORE: Watch as ex-Miss Russia Victoria Lopyreva screams in delight at Russia World Cup goal (VIDEO)

After the win, tennis ace Sharapova joined millions of Russian fans in congratulating the team, tweeting in Russian: "Hooray! Well done!’”