In what was Croatia and Spain’s third major tournament meeting – with both previous such clashes coming in the European Championship group stages (Spain winning in 2012 and Croatia in 2016) – Spain today proceed to the quarter finals. Final score 5-3 after extra time in the capital of Denmark.Spain dominated in the opening minutes – 15th minute saw great chances for Pablo Sarabia and Koke but Croat keeper Dominik Livakovic had his net untouched.Five minutes later, incredible shock for the Spaniards. Barca’s youngster Pedri wanted to send the ball back to his goalkeeper Unai Simon but Athletic Bilbao custodian reacted rather comically – he missed the ball completely and it slowly ended up in his own goal.Spain own goal in round of 16 clash with Croatia#CROESP #CROSPA pic.twitter.com/n6CZVopdO6— Football Burp ⚽ (@FootballBurp) June 28, 2021 49 – Spanish midfielder Pedri’s own-goal came at a distance of 49 yards, the longest-ever own-goal netted in the European Championships and the first one ever from outside the box. Clanger. #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/pzg6aF5zw2— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 28, 2021 There have been nine own-goals scored at Euro 2020, as many as in all of the previous editions of the competition combined.That own goal boosted Croatia to try to up the advantage while Spain’s initial enthusiasm shortly disappeared. During the following minutes Spain needed time to return from the surprise.And they did – slowly but surely. Sarabia leveled the score in the 38th minute after some pinball action in Croatia’s box. Even though Livakovic reacted well, PSG’s Sarabia sent a shot that was just too much for Dinamo Zagreb goalie.📸 Sarabia puts Spain level! ⚽️#EURO2020 https://t.co/ETh1hvYnvV pic.twitter.com/uQRUkUvyAl— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) June 28, 2021 Second half started with much more caution from both sides but Spain again seemed more determined.Spain waited until the 57th minute to see the scoreboard completely turned around. It was a steady build up which eventually saw Ferran Torres send a pinpoint cross to the middle of the box where Chelsea captain Cezar Azpilicueta waited perfectly positioned to reroute the ball behind Livakovic.Azpi goal, Spain take the lead Spain 2-1 Croatia #CROESP pic.twitter.com/msiHy5XSQN— 𝗦𝗮𝘆𝗼 🌟 (@ss4yoo) June 28, 2021 Azpilicueta scored his first ever goal for Spain in 27 games for the national team, thus became Spain’s oldest ever goalscorer at an EURO with 31 years and 304 days.Croats had a colossal opportunity to equalize after 10 minutes but Unai Simon redeemed himself with a great reflex save after Josko Gvardiol tried with a low shot.In the 77th minute two Torres’ combined for Spain’s two goal advantage. Man City’s Ferran Torres took advantage of Croatia’s defence poor positioning – he received a long ball sent by Villareal’s Pau Torres and the first-mentioned calmly passed by Gvardiol to send the ball under Croatia’s keeper.2 – Ferran Torres (21y 120d) is the youngest player to both score and assist in a single major tournament match (World Cup/Euros) for Spain since @cesc4official (21y 37d) vs Russia at EURO 2008. Talent. #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/fn5gi7aGEJ— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 28, 2021 However in the 85th minute, Croats woke up and managed to score. Tottenham’s executioner in the passed Europa League season, Dinamo Zagreb’s Mislav Orsic, tapped the ball in from close range after the rebound fell kindly into his path.But Orsic did not stop there – in the 92nd minute he was the one who found Mario Pasalic with a perfect cross to make it three-all.Mislav Oršić pulls one back for Croatia! 🇭🇷 Will they find an equaliser? #EURO2020 https://t.co/exUO4mYFQi pic.twitter.com/6VdqgHwu0j— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) June 28, 2021 Croatia Equalize 😱Pasalic Croatia 3-3 Spain #CROESP pic.twitter.com/C1sLzeTYLz— 𝗦𝗮𝘆𝗼 🌟 (@ss4yoo) June 28, 2021 Extra time came and with it more excitement. Croat continued with their pressure and in the 93rd minute Orsic could have placed the last nail in Spain’s coffin but his shot went centimeters above the crossbar.Three minutes later, Unai Simon made another incredible save to keep the score leveled. Andrej Kramaric tried with a shot few meters away from the goal line but Simon reacted beautifully to thwart the Croats.For some reason, Croatia did not continue with the pressure and Spain did not panic – as a result it was 5-3 in favour of Luis Enrique’s squad in the 104th minute.First, Dani Olmo sent a precise lofted cross into the box where Alvaro Morata caught it and sent a powerful shot into the top of the net. Livakovic had no chance in the 100th minute.Four minutes after, Olmo recorded another assist when he found Mikel Oyarzabal inside the box. Real Madrid flankman fired the ball into the bottom left corner to make it 5-3.5 – Alvaro Morata has scored his fifth goal at the European Championships, becoming Spain’s joint-highest scorer in the competition along with Fernando Torres. Thunderbolt. #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/quYGk3O7eQ— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 28, 2021 Second extra-time period started with a massive opportunity for Ante Budimir but his low shot went a hair wide of Simon’s left post.Morata and Olmo could have even made it 6-3 in the final minutes but their shots did not end up behind Livakovic..In what was an amazing game of football, Spain deservedly march on to the next round. They will face either France or Switzerland on the 2nd of July.EURO 2020Eight-finalsCroatia – Spain 3-5 (AET) (3-3)/Pedri 20′ og, Orsic 85′, Pasalic 90+2′ – Sarabia 38′, Azpilicueta 57′, Torres 77′, Morata 100′, Oyarzabal 104’/©SofaScore
