Midfielders Roman Zobnin, Yury Gazinsky, Denis Cheryshev and defender Ilya Kutepov took turns thanking fans for their support and added that the team "will try to defeat Spain" and "make their friends proud."

"We have a very difficult match against Spain ahead of us. I know all of you will be at the stadium, all of you will be watching [the match] on TV. We will give 100 percent. Support us, and we'll be making you happy," Zobnin said.

Russia finished second in Group A and advanced to the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time in history.

Last time Russia played 2010 World Cup winners Spain in a friendly in November 2017 drawing with the Spanish side 3-3.

The tournament will continue until July 15, with the games being played in 11 cities across Russia.