World Cup 2018: Day 19 updates - Russia celebrates, Neymar and Brazil take on Mexico

Good morning. Another emotional night of football, full of heartbreak and drama, where heroes emerged and superstars bowed out. There were unbelievable scenes in Moscow as Spain crashed out of the World Cup following a 4-3 defeat to Russia in a penalty shoot-out. After the match ended all square at 1-1 after 90 minutes and then extra time, fans witnessed the first penalty shoot-out of the 2018 World Cup at the Luzhniki Stadium. Igor Akinfeev was the hero for Russia, denying first Koke and then Iago Aspas with his left foot to send the host nation through to a first quarter-final since 1966. For Spain, who lest we forget sacked their manager Julen Lopetegui on the eve of the tournament , it is most likely to herald the end of a golden age with the likes of Andres Iniesta likely to have played his final match for La Roja. Our football reporter John McAuley was in Moscow to witness the joy of the home supporters as Akineev saved Aspas' decisive kick, describing scenes inside the Luzhniki Stadium as "bonkers" with the "roar incredible, the result just as much" . Russia are the lowest-ranked nation in the tournament -- a lowly 70th in the world -- and were not expected to progress beyond the first round but they now find themselves in the last eight. "We were hoping for penalties," Akinfeev said after the match ended 1-1 after extra time, following a Sergei Ignashevich own goal and an assured Artem Dzyuba penalty. "We are having a fantastic World Cup. Not just our fans, but the fans of other countries are getting a sense of this atmosphere and understood that Russians really know how to play football and want to play football." Russia will next face Croatia, who were also taken penalties by Denmark at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium. Croatia captain Luka Modric failed from 12 yards with the sides locked together at 1-1 after 120 minutes in their last-16 clash, but converted from the spot at the second time of asking as goalkeeper Danijel Subasic saved three Danish penalties to lay the foundation for a 3-2 win. Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic saluted Modric after the match, saying: "He took the responsibility as a true captain. He scored and it speaks volumes about Luka. "He said he wanted to take one in the penalty shoot-out - can you imagine what would have happened had he not scored? This shows the qualities of a great player and Luka is a great player." If it was Barcelona's Ivan Rakitic who ultimately sent Croatia through with his side's fifth spot-kick, it was Subasic who was the hero after saving from Christian Eriksen, Lasse Schone and Nicolai Jorgensen to book a quarter-final showdown with hosts Russia. Dalic said: "He was our hero tonight. He saved three penalties in the penalty shoot-out - you don't see that every day. He pulled us out when we needed it most." Mathias Jorgensen's first-minute opener handed the Danes the perfect start, but the lead lasted just three minutes as Mario Mandzukic levelled. However, despite the early promise, the game failed to deliver as Denmark spiked the Croatian guns for long periods, although Modric should have won it after Mathias Jorgensen felled Ante Rebic inside the box in the 116th minute. But Modric saw his penalty saved by Kasper Schmeichel, much to the delight of his father Peter watching on in the crowd. Dalic admitted his team was far from at its best, but praised the fighting spirit of his players and warned them that will need to be just as resilient against the Russians. He said: "This is going to be a huge match. We cannot relax, we must be even stronger and more stable because we are going to play a very difficult opponent, a great opponent. "We will not let our guard down, there can be no arrogance going forward. We are happy with what we have achieved, but we know we have to do more." ______________ Read more: John McAuley: Russia rumble on at World Cup as Akinfeev the hero in shoot-out win over Spain Ronaldo and Messi - constant companions destined to never win the World Cup Marcus Berg: Sweden 'have proven to everyone what we are capable of' at World Cup Ian Hawkey: Mexico, Brazil's bogey team, looking to make it to 'the fifth game' at a World Cup for the first time in 32 years ______________

World Cup 2018: Day 19 updates - Russia celebrates, Neymar and Brazil take on Mexico

Emotional scenes in Moscow as Russia celebrates beating Spain on penalties. There are two more last-16 ties today: Brazil v Mexico (6pm) and Belgium v Japan (10pm)