Russia defeated Spain 4-3 on penalties after drawing 1-1 in the game held in Moscow. They now advance into the last eight.

"Just like the whole country, Putin was watching the game... and rooting for our side. Before the match... the president called the head coach and wished him success in the upcoming game, he also said that... our guys had already done the impossible by reaching the knockout stage... Putin said that nobody would criticize them anyway," Peskov said.

He added that Putin called Cherchesov after the game to congratulate him and the team.

"Putin said that the result was what mattered most in sports... He wished Cherchesov and all the members of the team, success in their next game," Peskov said.

The Kremlin spokesman added that Putin failed to attend the match because of his tight schedule.

In the last eight, Russia will face Croatia or Denmark.