As with all Russian sporting victories, the internet invariably hints money was somehow involved. Now Russian social media users are convinced a banknote predicted goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev’s World Cup shootout save versus Spain.
Moments after Akinfeev sprawled himself across his goal to block Iago Aspas’ decisive spot kick at Luzhniki Stadium, eagle-eyed internet users were adamant the specially-made World Cup design 100 ruble banknotes had already predicted his exact save.
На памятной купюре в 100 рублей, выпущенной к чемпионату мира по футболу в России изображён Акинфеев, который отбивает пенальти
Пророчество сбылось pic.twitter.com/2tp92s9Nen
— #MDK (@mudakoff) July 2, 2018
Прогнозирование всегда было нашей сильной стороной ⚽
#ногаакинфеева pic.twitter.com/MzMHM44zNB— Банк России (@bank_of_russia) July 2, 2018
The banknotes were made especially for the tournament and feature legendary Soviet goalkeeper Lev Yashin, to date the only goalkeeper to receive the Ballon d’Or, diving to save the ball.
Some are even claiming Yashin’s pose and the positioning of the ball mirrors the own goal of Sergei Ignashevich, which gave Spain the lead in the 12th minute.
Tussling with Spain captain Sergio Ramos while attempting to defend an incoming free-kick, the ball deflected off the veteran defender’s foot and into the net, making him the oldest World Cup own goal scorer in history.
Each 100 ruble note – worth $1.63 – features a young boy in a goalkeeper’s jersey with a football tucked under his arm while gazing at Yashin, nicknamed ‘The Black Spider’ for his dark attire, sprawling to save a ball.
The image symbolizes the boy “dreaming of emulating the achievements of great footballers” and the “continuation of generations,” according to a Russian Central Bank press release. The trajectory and ball are shown on the flip-side of the note, symbolizing a “globe.”
As a result of Akinfeev’s heroics, Russia will now play Croatia in Sochi on July 7 after they came through in their own penalty shootout against Denmark in Nizhny Novgorod Stadium