Solo quedan dos. Las 12 sedes iniciales se han reducido a un par de estadios ahora que la Copa Mundial de la FIFA 2018™ se acerca a su conclusión. El estadio Luzhniki albergará el partido más decisivo: la gran final del Mundial, el 15 de julio.
Uno de los dos finalistas se decidirá en el próximo encuentro, que se disputará ante más de 78.000 espectadores: la semifinal entre Croacia e Inglaterra. Con este choque en el horizonte, repasamos los superlativos partidos de Rusia 2018 celebrados en esta fabulosa sede hasta la fecha.
Rusia 5-0 Arabia Saudí
Jueves 14 de junio
Decir que el Mundial empezó a lo grande es quedarse cortos. El Luzhniki lanzó a la estratosfera un torneo fantástico desde el día de la inauguración, en el que los anfitriones se anotaron una fabulosa victoria de cinco goles sin réplica. Iury Gazinsky abrió el marcador de Rusia 2018. A continuación, el doblete de Denis Cheryshev y los tantos de Artem Dzyuba y Aleksandr Golovin completaron la goleada.
Alemania 0-1 México
Domingo 17 de junio
El partido que acaparó la atención del mundo entero. Alemania empezó la defensa de su título con mal pie, derrotada por un gol de Hirving Lozano tras una jugada bien trabajada. Aquel día, el seleccionador Juan Carlos Osorio ideó el modo perfecto de derrotar a los alemanes: el implacable estilo de juego basado en el contraataque que desplegó México.
Portugal 1-0 Marruecos
Miércoles 20 de junio
El Luzhniki recibió a Cristiano Ronaldo y compañía en la segunda jornada del Grupo B. Eran muchas las expectativas puestas en Portugal tras el empate a 3-3 con España en su primer encuentro, pero al final solo un gol, del propio CR7, bastó para derrotar y, en última instancia, eliminar a la selección norteafricana.
Dinamarca 0-0 Francia
Martes 26 de junio
No fue un partido para el recuerdo, pero resultó memorable para ambos rivales, pues los dos consiguieron el resultado que necesitaban. Los daneses confirmaron el pase a las eliminatorias, y Francia se afianzó en el primer puesto del Grupo C gracias a un empate sin goles ni demasiadas emociones.
Rusia 2018: Dinamarca-France
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Andreas Cornelius of Denmark challenge for the ball with Presnel Kimpembe of France
26 jun. 2018
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 26: Andreas Cornelius of Denmark challenge for the ball with Presnel Kimpembe of France during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group C match between Denmark and France at Luzhniki Stadium on June 26, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
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Presnel Kimpembe of France shakes hands with Christian Eriksen of Denmark
26 jun. 2018
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 26: Presnel Kimpembe of France shakes hands with Christian Eriksen of Denmark following the the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group C match between Denmark and France at Luzhniki Stadium on June 26, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Mike Hewitt - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
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Denmark players acknowledge the fans
26 jun. 2018
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 26: Denmark players acknowledge the fans following the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group C match between Denmark and France at Luzhniki Stadium on June 26, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
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Olivier Giroud of France wins aheader over Simon Kjaer of Denmark
26 jun. 2018
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 26: Olivier Giroud of France wins aheader over Simon Kjaer of Denmark during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group C match between Denmark and France at Luzhniki Stadium on June 26, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
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Denmark v France: Group C - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
26 jun. 2018
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 26: Olivier Giroud of France is tackled by Simon Kjaer of Denmark during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group C match between Denmark and France at Luzhniki Stadium on June 26, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
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Mathias Jorgensen of Denmark is tackled by Presnel Kimpembe of France
26 jun. 2018
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 26: Mathias Jorgensen of Denmark is tackled by Presnel Kimpembe of France during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group C match between Denmark and France at Luzhniki Stadium on June 26, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
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Andreas Cornelius of Denmark challenge for the ball with Presnel Kimpembe of France
26 jun. 2018
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 26: Andreas Cornelius of Denmark challenge for the ball with Presnel Kimpembe of France during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group C match between Denmark and France at Luzhniki Stadium on June 26, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
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Olivier Giroud of France is challenged by Andreas Christensen and Simon Kjaer of Denmark
26 jun. 2018
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 26: Olivier Giroud of France is challenged by Andreas Christensen and Simon Kjaer of Denmark during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group C match between Denmark and France at Luzhniki Stadium on June 26, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
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Henrik Dalsgaard of Denmark tackles Lucas Hernandez of France
26 jun. 2018
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 26: Henrik Dalsgaard of Denmark tackles Lucas Hernandez of France during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group C match between Denmark and France at Luzhniki Stadium on June 26, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Mike Hewitt - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
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Benjamin Mendy of France tackles Martin Braithwaite of Denmark
26 jun. 2018
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 26: Benjamin Mendy of France tackles Martin Braithwaite of Denmark during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group C match between Denmark and France at Luzhniki Stadium on June 26, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
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Djibril Sidibe of France is tackled by Pione Sisto of Denmark
26 jun. 2018
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 26: Djibril Sidibe of France is tackled by Pione Sisto of Denmark during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group C match between Denmark and France at Luzhniki Stadium on June 26, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
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Christian Eriksen of Denmark challenges Steven Nzonzi of France
26 jun. 2018
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 26: Christian Eriksen of Denmark challenges Steven Nzonzi of France during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group C match between Denmark and France at Luzhniki Stadium on June 26, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
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Christian Eriksen of Denmark is challenged by Thomas Lemar of France
26 jun. 2018
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 26: Christian Eriksen of Denmark is challenged by Thomas Lemar of France during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group C match between Denmark and France at Luzhniki Stadium on June 26, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
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Simon Kjaer of Denmark challenge for the ball with Olivier Giroud of France
26 jun. 2018
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 26: Simon Kjaer of Denmark challenge for the ball with Olivier Giroud of France during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group C match between Denmark and France at Luzhniki Stadium on June 26, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
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Presnel Kimpembe of France wins a header over Andreas Cornelius of Denmark
26 jun. 2018
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 26: Presnel Kimpembe of France wins a header over Andreas Cornelius of Denmark during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group C match between Denmark and France at Luzhniki Stadium on June 26, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
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Simon Kjaer of Denmark challenge for the ball with Antoine Griezmann of France
26 jun. 2018
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 26: Simon Kjaer of Denmark challenge for the ball with Antoine Griezmann of France during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group C match between Denmark and France at Luzhniki Stadium on June 26, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
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Thomas Lemar of France tackles Andreas Christensen of Denmark
26 jun. 2018
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 26: Thomas Lemar of France tackles Andreas Christensen of Denmark during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group C match between Denmark and France at Luzhniki Stadium on June 26, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
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Kasper Schmeichel of Denmark reacts
26 jun. 2018
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 26: Kasper Schmeichel of Denmark reacts during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group C match between Denmark and France at Luzhniki Stadium on June 26, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
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Denmark v France: Group C - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
26 jun. 2018
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 26: Steve Mandanda of France saves Christian Eriksen of Denmark's effort during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group C match between Denmark and France at Luzhniki Stadium on June 26, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
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Ngolo Kante of France tackles Thomas Delaney of Denmark
26 jun. 2018
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 26: Ngolo Kante of France tackles Thomas Delaney of Denmark during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group C match between Denmark and France at Luzhniki Stadium on June 26, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
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France pose for a team photo
26 jun. 2018
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 26: France pose prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group C match between Denmark and France at Luzhniki Stadium on June 26, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
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Denmark pose for a team photo
26 jun. 2018
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 26: Denmark pose prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group C match between Denmark and France at Luzhniki Stadium on June 26, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
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Denmark and France line
26 jun. 2018
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 26: Denmark and France line prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group C match between Denmark and France at Luzhniki Stadium on June 26, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
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Denmark fans enjoy the pre match atmosphere
26 jun. 2018
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 26: Denmark fans enjoy the pre match atmosphere prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group C match between Denmark and France at Luzhniki Stadium on June 26, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Mike Hewitt - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
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France fans enjoy the pre match atmosphere
26 jun. 2018
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 26: France fans enjoy the pre match atmosphere prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group C match between Denmark and France at Luzhniki Stadium on June 26, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
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España 1-1 Rusia (3-4 pen.)
Domingo 1 de julio
En pocas palabras: el día más memorable de la historia futbolística de Rusia. Los anfitriones, con el aliento del magnífico y estruendoso público del Luzhniki, igualaron el marcador tras el gol encajado en los primeros compases y resistieron sin desfallecer contra la campeona de la Copa Mundial de 2010 hasta la tanda de penales. Igor Akinfeev se convirtió en el gran héroe de la noche con sus atajadas de los disparos de Koke y de Iago Aspas, celebradas en Moscú con un clamor que reverberó por toda Rusia.
