Friendly international

Russia 3 - Spain 3

Russia: Lunev; Smolnikov (Ignatjev 86’), Vasin, Dzhikiya, Kudryashov (Rausch 74’), Zhirkov (Kombarov 81’); Glushakov, Kuzyayev (Kokorin 61’), Dzagoev (Erokhin 61’); Alexei Miranchuk (Anton Miranchuk 66’); Smolov. 5-3-2.
Spain: De Gea; Nacho, Piqué, Sergio Ramos (Vitolo 57’), Jordi Alba (Alberto Moreno 46’); Thiago (Saúl Ñíguez 60’), Busquets (David Silva 57’), Iniesta (Illarramendi 46’); Suso (Callejón 46’), Rodrigo, Marco Asensio. 4-3-3.

Goals:
0-1. 09. Jordi Alba. Steered header over Lunev from Marco Asensio centre.
0-2. 35. Sergio Ramos (penalty). After Kuzyaez cleared ball with upper arm.
1-2. 41. Smolov. Picked up Miranchuk pass and cut back to shoot past De Gea.
2-2. 50. Alexei Miranchuk. Turned ball in on near post from Zhirkov pass.
2-3. 53. Sergio Ramos (penalty). After Ramos tripped by Kudryashov in area.
3-3. 70. Smolov. Latched on to Kokorin pass and fired shot wide of keeper.

Yellow cards: Busquets 17‘, Vitolo 67‘.

Spain ended 2017 unbeaten after a 3-3 draw in Russia in their latest friendly game, although coach Julen Lopetegui wasn’t happy with the result after his side threw the lead away twice. Jordi Alba headed them in front early on from a Marco Asensio centre, and Sergio Ramos added the second with a hotly disputed penalty after Italian referee Gianluca Rocchi ruled that Kuzyaez had handled when the ball hit his upper arm (shoulder?) in the penalty area. Strikes from Smolov and Alexei Miranchuk either side of half time made it all square for the World Cup hosts, but soon afterwards Ramos converted another controversial penalty after he and Busquets were both felled in the area. Smolov got his second of the night however with a shot past De Gea later on, and in the end both teams settled for a draw.