Rio Ferdinand says former Manchester United teammate Gerard Pique can have no complaints over the penalty he conceded for Spain's World Cup elimination by Russia.

The Barcelona defender misread the flight of a corner in the first-half and was forced to put his hands above his head in order to block an effort on goal.

Referee Bjorn Kuipers pointed straight to the penalty spot and striker Artem Dzyuba converted the penalty to level for Russia in Moscow. Spain were eventually defeated in a penalty shootout.

"That's panic, when you know you're in the wrong position you put your arms up in panic and it's the right decision," said Ferdinand.

"From 35 minutes onwards they (Russia) started to play forward with belief and intent, that's where that came from."