Word: akinfeev
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Dates: during 2000-2009
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...Instead, the semifinal was a cat and mouse game, at least for the first half, with neither team holding much of an advantage or showing much initiative in going forward. Then, five minutes into the second half, Xavi speared a goal for Spain, redirecting Iniesta's cross/shot past Igor Akinfeev. You could sense the panic on the Russian side. The roles were now very clear: Russia was the mouse and Spain was toying with it. Russian coach Guus Hiddink knew that his team's lack of depth and a big-game resume was a vulnerability: "Big teams know...
...would be the beginning of a long night for the Russian back four as Spain's midfield had a truckload of keys to unlock their defensive scheme. In the 44th minute Iniesta skipped through three Russians and let go a perfectly timed pass that Villa pushed through goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev's legs. Villa did it all himself for the third, and Cesc Fàbregas got the fourth as Spain, like the rain in Innsbruck, poured down on the Russians...
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