Sports
15:28, 02-Jul-2018
Maradona lauds Russia for eliminating Spain
Updated
15:22, 05-Jul-2018
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02:44
Former Argentine captain Diego Armando Maradona praised Russia's strategy for their stunning victory over Spain in Sunday's second round game.
"Russia played a proper team game despite having limitations," said Maradona during the sports program on teleSUR.
The soccer star said that the Russian players defended well and played valiantly to eliminate the Spaniards in the most important soccer tournament.
"Every single Spanish player was closely marked by the Russians and on every occasion they were surrounded by at least two Russians while holding the ball," said the 1986 World Cup-winning coach.
He also stressed that the absence of the Spanish midfielder, Xavi Hernández affected the performance of the Spanish team.
"Spain lacked filtered balls and the absence of Xavi Hernández in the midfield was badly felt," said Maradona.
The Argentinian legend also discussed Spain's loss against Russia, and looked ahead to today's knockout matches.