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