Russia defeated Spain 4-3 on penalties after the teams were level at 1-1 after extra time. Akinfeev was named the man of the match as he saved two spot-kicks in the penalty shootout to help bring his side victory.

"We felt tremendous support... The stadium was breathing, supporting [us]. It was a single heart, and this heart was colored in our tricolor, the fans inspired us, nothing would have happened without their support," Akinfeev said in a video published on the Russian Football Union's YouTube channel.

Russia will face Croatia in their quarter-final at Sochi's Fisht Stadium on Saturday.

 "Before the World Cup, we said that we had to unite, and we have done it. We can't stop here, if we stop, nothing good will come of it," Akinfeev added.