Cheryshev says Russia can hurt 2010 World Cup winners Spain

Russia's World Cup topscorer Denis Cheryshev says the hosts can hurt 2010 winners Spain in the World Cup last 16 tomorrow despite the huge disparity in talent between the two teams.

Russia entered the tournament as the lowest-ranked side, at 70th in the world, but comprehensive wins over Saudi Arabia and Egypt have boosted expectations.

Now they must find a way past title contenders Spain to prolong their run after reaching the knockout phase for the first time in the post-Soviet era. Villarreal winger Cheryshev, who has scored three goals so far, is looking to exploit a surprisingly suspect Spain defence.

Fernando Hierro's side have conceded five goals in three matches, with questions in particular over the form of Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea.

"That's my intention as a forward," said Cheryshev.

"Spain have some great players and might even be the best team in the world, in any case they're close to being the best. But any team can hurt another and we'll certainly do our best."
"However, I think that we can win against anybody, we can always win and that's what we need to believe, just think about victory."
"This is something like an exam in Russian -- what you write your teacher or professor will read and check and you can't change anything."