Spain advance to quarter-finals after stunning 5-3 victory over Croatia after extra time

Spain have knocked out Croatia in the last 16 following a thrilling 120 minutes of football at the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen. It was an end-to-end affair with 35 shots from both sides that ended as the second-highest scoring match in the history of the European championships with 8 strikes finding the back of the net. 

After gifting the early lead to Croatia, Spain pulled it back to 3-1 in the second half, only to let the lead slip in the dying moments. Nevertheless, the superior quality and depth of the Spanish side shone through in extra time with goals from Alvaro Morata and Mikel Oyarzabal sending La Roja to the quarter-finals.

Spain dominated the opening proceedings with Koke and Alvaro Morata being presented with glorious chances to open the scoring. However, despite all their possession, Spain conceded the first goal in the most bizarre circumstances. Pedri knocked the ball back to Unai Simon in goal from the halfway line, only for the goalkeeper to take his eye off the ball for a fraction of a second with the ball trickling under his feet and into the back of the net for an own goal.

Spain continued to swarm the Croatia penalty area following the Simon error and deservedly got the equaliser through Pablo Sarabia.

Following all their dominance, Luis Enrique’s side finally took the lead in the second half thanks to Cesar Azpilicueta. The Chelsea captain marauded forwarded from right-back before latching onto the end of a cross to head Spain in front. Ferran Torres doubled Spain’s advantage soon after, capitalising on a momentary lapse in concentration from the Croatians and slotting the ball between Livakovic’s legs to put La Roja 3-1 in front.

Spain were coasting through to the quarter-finals with 5 minutes on the clock, only for Croatia to find a second wind thanks to substitutes Mario Pasalic and Mislav Orsic. Orsic netted Croatia’s second goal which breathed the Parken back to life and they eventually scored the equalising goal in the 92nd minute through Mario Pasalic to send the game to extra-time. 

Croatia started extra-time on the front foot, only for Unai Simon to complete his redemption arc with a superhuman save off Andrej Kramaric from close range to keep the scores level. Croatia would rue these missed chances as Alvaro Morata scored Spain’s fourth in the 100th minute, plucking the ball from the sky and smashing it into the roof of the net to put Spain ahead. 

Three minutes later, Luis Enrique’s side put the final nail in the coffin with Dani Olmo once again finding acres of space down Spain’s right-wing and crossing it into the box for Mikel Oyarzabal to put the game to bed. Following this whirlwind victory, Spain will face Switzerland in the quarter-finals in St Petersburg after their extraordinary win over France via penalties.