The two teams drew 1-1 after extra time, but Russia beat Spain 4-3 on penalties, with Akinfeev saving Koke's and Iago Aspas’s shots.

“We won because the team are well disciplined, and followed coach’s instructions, and worked hard till the very end. As they said before the game, they were willing to 'die' on the pitch, and put in 200 percent. They kept their word, and that’s why they won, and in the end Igor [Akinfeev] did his job. The whole team are heroes,” Dvorkovich said.

Russia reached their first-ever World Cup quarter-finals since the break-up of the Soviet Union.

In the last eight, Russia will face the winner of Croatia and Denmark’s encounter. The match will take place at Fisht Stadium in Sochi on 7 July.