Spain lost 4-3 on penalties to the host nation after the match finished 1-1 after extra time. Following the game, King Felipe VI, who attended the match alongside Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and FIFA President Gianni Infantino, entered the team’s dressing room to express his support to the players.
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Prime Minister Sanchez, in his turn, addressed the team on Twitter.
“You were making the whole country happy for several weeks. This time it didn’t work out, but I am sure we will make it again. My support goes to the Spanish national team,” Sanchez wrote.
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After Sunday’s victory, Russia advanced to the last eight for the first time and will face Croatia on July 7 while Spain were eliminated from the tournament.
Spain defender Sergio Ramos said that his side's loss to Russia was a "severe blow" for the whole team. "Today's match was the hardest. You can lose in different ways in football, but we are coming home with our heads high. We did everything possible against Russia's great team, who showed an excellent physical shape. We lacked luck but, as a captain, I'm proud of my team. We should pass through this defeat, which will make us stronger. We should keep our heads high after this severe blow," Ramos told journalists.
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Ramos won the World Cup with Spain in 2010, as well as the 2008 and 2012 European championships.
“End of an era? Hopefully not. We have a team who can keep dreaming. Despite the criticism and doubts in the group stage, we redeemed ourselves today. There will be players who come back and others who leave, but they’ll always have this pride,” Ramos added.