Spain Through to Euro 2020 Quarters After Thrilling 5-3 Win Over Croatia

A thrilling 5-3 extra-time victory saw Spain reach the quarterfinals at Euro 2020 over Croatia in Copenhagen.

Goals from Pablo Sarabia, Cesar Azpilicueta and Ferran Torres cancelled out an early Pedri own goal and appeared to send the Spaniards to a last-eight clash with Switzerland who later beat France.

But Croatia hit back with two goals in the final minutes to force extra time where Alvaro Morata and Mikel Oyarzabal sealed the deal for the 2010 world champions.

It was an awful start for Luis Enrique’s men who went a goal behind in the 20th minute when goalkeeper Unai Simon failed to get on the end of a Pedri back-pass from midfield and let the ball roll into the net.

Spain made amends 18 minutes later through Sarabia, who swept home after a number of attempts saw the ball ping-ponging around the 18-yard box.

Azpilicueta put Spain ahead after the break with a powerful header and Torres looked to have settled the score with his strike from a quick counter-attack in the 76th minute.

Croatia made things interesting with a Mislav Orsic effort from a frantic goal-mouth scramble, and completed an improbable comeback two minutes into second-half stoppage time with an emphatic Mario Pasalic header from a counter-attack.

In the first extra period, Morata put Spain back in front with a spectacular effort in the 100th minute — the much-maligned striker settling a long cross with his right foot and rocketing past Dominik Livakovic with his left from an angle.

Morata played a part in Spain’s fifth moments later. His ball down the right played in Dani Olmo who crossed for Oyarzabal to slot home from close range.

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