Spain seal last-eight spot, Russia bow out
Thursday, July 18, 2013
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Russia 1-1 Spain
Verónica Boquete and Elena Terekhova scored as Spain progressed to the last eight, before Russia lost out to Denmark in the drawing of lots.
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Spain will tackle Norway in the UEFA Women's EURO 2013 quarter-finals after sealing a 1-1 draw that secured second place in Group C.
Russia, meanwhile, were pipped by Denmark in the drawing of lots to determine who would join Iceland as the tournament's other best third-placed team. They could feel a certain relief to be involved at all, however, after Verónica Boquete put Spain ahead on 14 minutes. Elena Terekhova restored parity shortly before the interval but it was not enough to take them through.
Spain made the initial running in Norrkoping, and although Elena Morozova gave them a scare by skewing wide following a bursting run, they duly took an early lead. Watching Adriana create havoc down the left, Boquete shook off her marker and calmly scooped in her team-mate's cross for her second strike at Sweden 2013.
A one-goal advantage nearly became two moments later, Elvira Todua flying left to keep out Adriana's curling shot before twice denying Alexia Putellas on the rebound. Jennifer Hermoso eventually ended the mayhem by slotting in from an offside position, but Spain's onslaught soon continued via Adriana down the left, obliging Todua to save with her legs.
Sergei Lavrentyev's side could take solace from the narrow deficit, though, and almost levelled when Morozova drilled Olga Petrova's cross wide. Having relived the pressure, they promptly applied it, and Terekhova ended a well-worked counterattack by shooting into the far corner, Morozova and Nelli Korovkina having worked the ball from left to right.
A constant danger, Morozova then fired the first salvo of the second half, using her pace to escape down the left and drawing a near-post stop from Tirapu. The contest between the two sides was balancing out as the tension increased, although Boquete came close to provoking joy in the Spanish camp when she connected with the crossbar.
After Vicky Losada subsequently went close from distance, it was Adriana's turn to trouble the woodwork via a long-range attempt. As for Russia, the goal they needed to be certain of advancing was not forthcoming, and their luck was out when Denmark's name later emerged from the hat.
Player of the match: Verónica Boquete