FIFA World Cup™ on FOX Programming Highlights: Sunday, July 1
Today’s Schedule & Results (all times ET):
- Russia ties Spain, 1-1, advances 4-3 on penalty kicks
- Croatia ties Denmark, 1-1, advances 3-2 on penalty kicks
- 7:00 PM – FIFA WORLD CUP NOW (Twitter)
- 9:00 PM – FIFA WORLD CUP MATCH DAY – 1 (FS1)
- 10:00 PM – FIFA WORLD CUP TONIGHT (FS1)
- 12:00 AM – FIFA WORLD CUP TONIGHT (FOX / airs at midnight in all U.S. time zones)
Today’s Top Stories
Today’s Top Quotes:
FOX Sports lead studio analyst Alexi Lalas on how teams prepare for penalty kicks:
“Talk about how cruel it can be. But all teams understand when they go into a tournament that it could come down to this. It is a skill. It is practiced.
“It’s not luck. It’s the ability to save the ball and the ability to put the ball in the net … It’s not just a flip of the coin, which a lot of times is how people look at it.”
FOX Sports studio analyst and former England women’s international Kelly Smith believes Croatia wasn’t impressive today, despite the victory:
“Croatia didn’t actually play that well today and they still managed to get themselves through. They need to great credit for that. Now, they can dust themselves off, recover and go again. This team didn’t show up. They’ve got Russia now to look forward to.”
FOX Sports studio analyst, former Dutch player and manager Clarence Seedorf believes Russia has a good chance beating Croatia after Croatia’s performance today:
“The chances of the Russian team, after seeing what happened today, are growing. I think they can get to the semifinals, as well, after seeing Croatia struggle with a strong defense. Russia, what they did against Spain today, applying the same tactics, might get away with a surprise.”
Lalas is having a lot of fun at this World Cup:
“This is one nutty World Cup, and I love every minute of it.
“We’re seeing a change, and a necessary change. It’s fun to see different players; it’s fun to see different teams. It’s fun to have the host nation continue on, especially in this fashion.”
Smith says Spain ran out of ideas against Russia:
“I think Spain were running out of ideas.
“They just couldn’t find a way to break them down.
“I think it’s great for the home nation to still be in this tournament. You always want the home fans to have a go and really embrace this tournament.”
Lalas said Russia’s defense frustrated Spain:
“What Russia did is not anything that Spain hasn’t come up against before. They just wear you down eventually.
“In the course of the game, Russia knew they couldn’t open themselves up and expose themselves. Spain ran out of ideas.
“They [Spain] came up against a Russia team that was resolute in the way that they defended. It might not be pretty, but ultimately, it’s effective. The reason they’re partying here in Moscow and all across the country is because ultimately, it worked, and people stepped up in the most important time – not the least of which is Akinfeev with this incredible, historic save with his foot.”
Lalas is happy for Russia and Russian fans: WATCH
“This World Cup has already given us so much. I’m so happy. I’m so happy for all the people that are around us, for all the Russian fans and for the way that they’ve embraced this team.
“They could have just rested on their laurels and said, ‘we’ve already done something’ … and bowed out … but no, they’ve taken it even farther. And it’s wonderful because now more and more people in this country are going to believe in this team, and it makes the tournament that much better. It’s a funny game, but it’s beautiful.”
FOX Sports studio analyst Ian Wright says Russia gave a defensive performance worthy of a win:
“Russia and the way they defended so resolutely, they deserved it. And their goalkeeper came up with the goods in the end.”
Prior to the match, Lalas on why Russian fans love their national team:
“They love this team, and they love this team because it’s done something that a lot of people didn’t expect. So, in that sense, they’ve already won. But, they’ve got an opportunity to do something magical.”
FOX Sports game analyst Aly Wagner on Russia’s Artem Dzyuba after he scored the 1-1 equalizer on a PK:
“This man came into this tournament not as the starter, and he’s become the focal point of this Russian front line.”
Deep into extra time, Wagner assesses Russia’s performance and expectations:
“Russia has been able to stifle this Spanish side and perhaps take them into penalties – something they would have dreamed of coming into this match, knowing today that they have an opportunity after 120 minutes to advance.”
Before Spain-Russia, Wagner said there was no pressure on the Russian team because they’ve already overachieved:
“They’ve already defied expectations by getting to this point.”
Today’s Top Videos:
Tomorrow’s Schedule (all times ET):
- 9:00 AM – FIFA WORLD CUP LIVE (FOX)
- 10:00 AM – Brazil vs. Mexico (FOX / John Strong and Stu Holden)
- 12:00 PM – FIFA WORLD CUP TODAY (FS1)
- 1:00 PM – FIFA WORLD CUP TODAY (FOX)
- 2:00 PM – Belgium vs. Japan (FOX / JP Dellacamera and Tony Meola)
- 4:00 PM – FIFA WORLD CUP TODAY (FS1)
- 7:00 PM – FIFA WORLD CUP NOW (Twitter)
- 10:00 PM – FIFA WORLD CUP TONIGHT (FS1)
- 12:00 AM – FIFA WORLD CUP TONIGHT (FOX / airs at midnight in all U.S. time zones)