Euros Spain find a bit extra to win thriller with Croatia
SPAIN recovered from a bizarre own goal and a barnstorming Croatia fightback to reach the Euro 2020 quarterfinals with a dramatic 5-3 extratime victory yesterday.
Goals from the much-maligned Alvaro Morata and Mikel Oyarzabal finally settled an eventful contest in Copenhagen which ended 3-3 after 90 minutes.
Croatia had taken an unexpected early lead when Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon allowed a backpass from Pedri to squirm into the net.
Spain responded superbly through Pablo Sarabia, Cesar Azpilicueta and Ferran Torres but Croatia hit back with two goals in the last five minutes of normal time from substitutes Mislav Orsic and Mario Pasalic. Croatia carried their momentum into extra time but Simon made a fine save and Spain ultimately went on to secure a place in the last eight.
Spain, who beat Slovakia 5-0 in their final group match, made a positive start. Sarabia shot into the side-netting and Koke should have scored when he was denied by the feet of goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic.
Morata’s frustrations then continued as he spurned a fine chance by miscuing a header.
Croatia were offering little but, remarkably, found themselves in front after 20 minutes. It came in extraordinary circumstances as Simon switched off. Pedri passed the ball back from near the halfway line and the ‘keeper took his eye off it as it bobbled, caught his foot and rolled into the net.
It was a moment to forget but Spain responded well to the setback and levelled before the break.
Livakovic did well to save a wellstruck shot from Jose Gaya but Sarabia was on hand to tuck home the rebound.