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Reuters

Russian couple Yekaterina and Dmitry Vasilyev enjoyed a perfect wedding celebration on Sunday as they briefly halted their nuptials to watch the hosts defy the odds by beating Spain in a penalty shoot-out to reach the World Cup quarter-finals.
The couple, along with their family and friends, were huddled around a mobile phone as they witnessed Russia goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev save shots from Koke and Iago Aspas to send unfancied Russia through to the last eight.

Their wedding ceremony – in a town outside St Petersburg – started at 2pm GMT, the same time as the Spain v Russia match kicked off, and the guests kept track of the score in a round of 16 tie that ended 1-1 after extra-time.
Ecstatic Russians pour onto the streets after historic World Cup win over former champions Spain
The penalty shoot-out commenced as they sat down for the reception and the soccer took centre-stage with the blessing of the bride and groom.

The room erupted into wild celebrations as Akinfeev’s save secured a 4-3 shoot-out win for Russia to confirm the host’s spot in the last eight.
“It’s the best gift ever,” the groom, who is a football fan and amateur player himself, said.
Before the start of the tournament, Russia were considered likely to exit at the group stage but have ridden a wave of home support to advance to last-eight a meeting against Croatia in Sochi on July 6.






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Fifa World Cup 2018

Fifa World Cup wedding gift: Russian couple pause nuptials to watch shock penalty shoot-out win over Spain

Guests at a wedding ceremony in the town of Pushkin outside St Petersburg celebrate Russia’s World Cup win over Spain. Photo: Reuters

epa06855772 Players of Spain react after the FIFA World Cup 2018 round of 16 soccer match between Spain and Russia in Moscow, Russia, 01 July 2018. (RESTRICTIONS APPLY: Editorial Use Only, not used in association with any commercial entity - Images must not be used in any form of alert service or push service of any kind including via mobile alert services, downloads to mobile devices or MMS messaging - Images must appear as still images and must not emulate match action video footage - No alteration is made to, and no text or image is superimposed over, any published image which: (a) intentionally obscures or removes a sponsor identification image; or (b) adds or overlays the commercial identification of any third party which is not officially associated with the FIFA World Cup) EPA-EFE/MAHMOUD KHALED EDITORIAL USE ONLY EDITORIAL USE ONLY

epa06855887 Players of Russia celebrate after the FIFA World Cup 2018 round of 16 soccer match between Spain and Russia in Moscow, Russia, 01 July 2018. (RESTRICTIONS APPLY: Editorial Use Only, not used in association with any commercial entity - Images must not be used in any form of alert service or push service of any kind including via mobile alert services, downloads to mobile devices or MMS messaging - Images must appear as still images and must not emulate match action video footage - No alteration is made to, and no text or image is superimposed over, any published image which: (a) intentionally obscures or removes a sponsor identification image; or (b) adds or overlays the commercial identification of any third party which is not officially associated with the FIFA World Cup) EPA-EFE/MAHMOUD KHALED EDITORIAL USE ONLY EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Fifa World Cup: Croatia meet Russia after Ivan Rakitic seals shoot-out win despite Kasper Schmeichel penalty heroics

Denmark's goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel reacts at the end of the Russia 2018 World Cup round of 16 loss to Croatia. Photo: AFP

Denmark's Nicolai Jorgensen reacts after he failed to score by penalty kick during the round of 16 match between Croatia and Denmark at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, in Nizhny Novgorod , Russia, Sunday, July 1, 2018. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Croatia goalkeeper Danijel Subasic makes a save during a penalty shoot out after extra time during the round of 16 match between Croatia and Denmark at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, in Nizhny Novgorod , Russia, Sunday, July 1, 2018. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

Croatians players celebrate after the penalties during the round of 16 match between Croatia and Denmark at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, Sunday, July 1, 2018. Croatia eliminates Denmark 3-2 on penalties after game ends 1-1. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Fifa World Cup: Fernando Hierro dodges questions on Spain future after dramatic defeat to hosts Russia

Spain head coach Fernando Hierro has not revealed any details about his future in the role. Photo: AP

Spain's Andres Iniesta, right, watches with teammates after Spain were defeated in a penalty shoot out by Russia in the round of 16 match between Spain and Russia at the 2018 soccer World Cup at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, July 1, 2018. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Spain's defender Sergio Ramos (L) and Spain's coach Fernando Hierro react after losing the Russia 2018 World Cup round of 16 football match between Spain and Russia at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on July 1, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Mladen ANTONOV / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - NO MOBILE PUSH ALERTS/DOWNLOADS

Fifa World Cup: Russia stun Spain 4-3 on penalties to reach quarter-finals against all odds

Russia players celebrate winning the penalty shoot-out and eliminating Spain in the World Cup. Photo: Reuters

Spain's Diego Costa heads the ball during the round of 16 match between Spain and Russia at the 2018 soccer World Cup at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, July 1, 2018. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

Russia's goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev (R) dives for the ball during the Russia 2018 World Cup round of 16 football match between Spain and Russia at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on July 1, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Antonin THUILLIER / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - NO MOBILE PUSH ALERTS/DOWNLOADS

Sport

Football

Newlyweds and their guests huddle around mobile phone at ceremony in town outside St Petersburg to watch Igor Akinfeev save two penalties, sending Russia to the World Cup quarter-finals
