Spain’s players celebrate their victory at the end of the UEFA EURO 2020 round of 16 football match between Croatia and Spain at the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen on June 28, 2021. (Photo by Jonathan NACKSTRAND / POOL / AFP) (Photo by JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Spain and Croatia play out one of the more entertaining games of Euro 2020
An eight-goal thriller saw Spain knock out Croatia 5-3 and book their ticket into the quarterfinals of Euro 2020.
Alvaro Morata played the hero for the Spanish as Croatia, down 3-1 late in the second half, scored twice in the last seven minutes to push the game into overtime.
However, the fireworks began all the way back in the first half as a back pass from Pedri was bungled by goalkeeper Unai Simón for one of the howlers of the tournament.
The goal marred a decent start from Luis Enrique’s side who could have gone ahead moments before the effort were it not for Dominik Livaković blocking a one-on-one against Koke.
Pablo Sarabia equalized before the half, much to the relief of Spanish supporters and, more than likely, Simon. Spain managed to take the lead in the 76th minutes thanks to a bit of skill from Ferran Torres who brought down a long pass from Pau Torres and danced around the Croatian defender before slotting the ball in the back of the net.
At that point, many would have seen that as checkmate. The Croatians had another idea in mind.
Mislav Oršić pulled one back with ten minutes to go following a scramble near the goal line. Spain thought they kept the ball out but goal line technology confirmed the ball, in its entirety, had crossed the line.
In the second minute of added time, Mario Pašalić equalized after connecting with a header from a cross by Oršić that could have been defended better by Pau Torres and just like that, the game went into extra time.
Croatia were riding the momentum from the previous ten minutes and looked the likelier of the two to score the go ahead goal.
Up stepped Morata, who had a tough tournament up until that point. Not only did he put Spain ahead, he did so with a magnificent strike.
In one instance, Morata was able to get the proverbial monkey off his back and be the hero for his national team. He flipped the narrative on its head after all the criticism he’s been under for missing penalties and clear goal scoring opportunities.
For Morata, it had to be a huge relief and weight off his shoulders. His teammates were certainly happy as they mobbed him after he scored.
“I don’t think there’s a single coach in the world who doesn’t admire, value and praise a player like Alvaro Morata,” Luis Enrique said. “He’s able to give you continuity, he defends as if he were a centre-back, he dominates in the air, he scores goals, he’s strong. We have to value a lot having Alvaro in the national team.”
Source: ESPN
Mikel Oyarzabal put any thoughts of another Croatian comeback to rest with Spain’s fifth goal in 103rd minute to ensure their progression to the next round.
“At this point in the tournament any team hat gets through to the quarterfinal has deserved it and will be a good side,” said Spain captain Sergio Busquets.
“We’re a tough side to beat and hopefully that’s the case in the next game as well.”
Source: Yahoo Sports
Spain have a good chance of making it to the semifinals if, and it’s a big if, they can knock off Switzerland who pulled off the upset against France.
