Spain defeat Croatia after extra-time thriller

Spain are through to the Euro 2020 quarter-finals after an extra-time win over Croatia.

Croatia had scored two goals in the final five minutes to take the match to extra time but Alvaro Morata and Mikel Oyarzabal scored to give Spain a 5-3 win.

A horrific own goal by Pedri had given Croatia the lead but Pablo Sarabia ensured Spain would be level at halftime.

Cesar Azpilicueta and Ferran Torres appeared to put Spain in control but Mislav Orsic and Mario Pasalic struck late to take the game to extra time.

Croatia went ahead inside the first 20 minutes when Pedri played a pass back from his own halfway line to Unai Simon who failed to control the ball as it rolled into the net.

Sarabia equalised before half time though when the ball fell to him to smash in from close range.

And Spain took the lead for the first time on the hour mark when Ferran Torres’s cross met Azpilicueta to head in from six yards.

Ferran Torres then put Spain two ahead with just 13 minutes remaining when he finished after a superb through ball from Pau Torres.

Orsic started Croatia’s comeback when he eventually put the ball over the line after a hectic goalmouth scramble and Pasalic forced extra time deep into second-half stoppage when he headed in from Orsic’s cross.

Spain eventually prevailed though and it was Morata who regained the lead when he finished into the roof of the net.

Oyarzabal hit Spain’s fifth three minutes letter when he was put through by Dani Olmo to find the bottom left corner.

Cover Photo: “Euro 2020 street lights in Bucharest” by wuestenigel is licensed under CC BY 2.0