Five similarities between the 2018 and 2002 World Cups

Football: South Korea vs Germany at World Cup
Football: South Korea vs Germany at World Cup

#4 The hosts both defeated Spain on penalties en route a surprising run

Spain v Russia: Round of 16 - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
Spain v Russia: Round of 16 - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia

Korea were co-hosts in 2002 and came up against then perennial underachievers Spain (who had lost their key man Raul in the second round to injury) at the quarter-final stage of the World Cup at the Gwangju Stadium in Korea.

After 120 minutes ended goalless in a match marred by refereeing errors (Spain had three goals wrongly ruled out), the match went to penalties, with Korea triumphing to progress to an unexpected semi-final.

Russia came into the 2018 World Cup as hosts, but underperformance in recent tournaments and friendlies led to lowered expectations among fans and pundits alike.

The Russians won their opening two fixtures and restored belief in the team. A 2nd place finish in Group A behind Uruguay was enough to set them up for a round-of-16 fixture with 2010 winners Spain.

An Ignashevic own goal put the Spaniards ahead early on before Artem Dyzuba equalized from the spot on the stroke of halftime. Russia held on through extra time to send the match to penalties where the Czars triumphed, with veteran captain Akinfeev stopping two Spanish spot-kicks to progress to the quarterfinals.

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Edited by Arvind Sriram
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