Spain's roller-coaster ride finally ground to a halt and the finger-pointing began after their third consecutive failure at a major tournament.

Following humiliation at the hands of Holland in 2014 and a limp defeat to Italy at Euro 2016, this defeat by 70th-ranked Russia was perhaps the most galling exit of all. A 4-3 win on penalties, after extra time ended 1-1, sends the hosts through to their first World Cup quarter-final since 1970.

It caps what can now be judged as a truly farcical campaign. Julen Lopetegui, the coach fired two days before Spain's opening match, and Luis Rubiales, the Spanish Football Federation president who fired him, will be circled as the key offenders. But Fernando Hierro, Lopetegui's replacement, and David de Gea, who endured a torrid tournament in goal, will take their share of the blame too. It was a pity that Andres Iniesta's last match for Spain became little more than a footnote.

Rubiales said he felt no remorse for sacking Lopetegui, who was clumsy in the way he handled his pending move to Real Madrid. "There is pain," he said. "But you can be calm when you know you have acted with responsibility, conviction and values."

'Keeper Igor Akinfeev starred in the shootout for Russia, saving penalties from Koke and Iago Aspas.

Meanwhile, Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic hailed Luka Modric who missed a penalty in extra time but then scored another in a 3-2 shootout win over Denmark. "He took the responsibility as a true captain, and it speaks volumes for Luka," Dalic said.

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