Source: Reuters via VCG

It was perhaps the perfect wedding present for Dmitry and Yekaterina Vasilyev as they celebrated Russia beating Spain to reach the World Cup quarter-finals at their reception on Sunday.

The happy couple, along with family and friends, were huddled around a mobile phone as they watched Russia goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev save Iago Asaps' penalty to send the tournaments hosts through to the last eight.

Their wedding ceremony, in a town outside St Petersburg, started at the same time as the Russia-Spain match - 1400GMT - and the guests were keeping track of the score throughout. As they sat down for the reception, the penalty shootout was just about to begin and then the soccer took center stage, with the blessing of the bride and groom. The room erupted in to wild celebrations as they watched Akinfeev's save make it 4-3 to Russia in the shootout and no way for Spain to come back.

"It's the best gift ever," the groom said. Russia - who were widely tipped not to make it out of their group before the tournament started - will play either Croatia or Denmark in the quarter-finals on July 6.