Although this team is not as great as it was a decade ago in Spain, the 2021 class is not going anywhere.After opening their Euro 2020 campaign with 2 limp draws, Luis Enrique's team won 5-0 against Slovakia to secure their place in the knockout round. They were playing Croatia, 2018 World Cup runners-ups in the last 16. However, they fell behind to an odd own goal, but recovered to go 3-1 ahead. Then, they conceded twice in 10 minutes to ensure extra time, and had to win it all again.Fixtures and bracketAfter 120 minutes of chaos, Spain won 5-3. They will now face France or Switzerland in St. Petersburg's quarterfinals on Saturday. Their first victory in a knockout match at a major tournament was in Copenhagen's Parken Stadium. This followed their success at Euro 2008, and the World Cup 2010.Although they may not have the same talent as these teams, this version of Spain is not lacking in character. It was demonstrated by Unai Simon, goalkeeper, and Alvaro Morata, striker.Simon's terrible error led to Pedri scoring a 40-yard own goal to give Croatia the lead. With the score at 3-3, extra time was approaching, and Athletic Bilbao's goalkeeper made a stunning save to deny Andrejkramaric.Morata has received death threats following his performances in the early stages of this summer. Despite missing an early header from point blank range, it was Spain's clinical finish that brought Spain to 4-3.Enrique was sometimes seen as the sole one who believes Morata should play as Spain's first-choice centre forward at times. However, his confidence was repaid by an all-round performance that helped to explain why clubs across Europe paid a total of 170 million for him.Morata stated that although it is true that I have been through some things that I didn't like, the majority of Spain is there for me." "The goal is for my family, my children and all those who support me. To experience moments like this, you must suffer."The first team in European Championships history to score five goals in consecutive games has been criticized for not having the final product they hoped for.Sergio Busquets said that although we had the chance to win, but that we still showed character throughout. "When Croatia changed its system, they flooded our pitch high up and we weren't able to adjust fast enough. We didn't make it to 4-1 before they fought back."But overall, I'm so happy with the result and how we handled extra time. And the fact that we are in quarterfinals."Unai Simon is confident that he has our complete confidence. Although the goal was not in his favor, his mentality is relaxed and yet he remains ambitious. He proved that today.After the goal, he was extremely secure and made top saves."Luis Enrique stayed with Alvaro Morata as striker, despite intense criticism. It paid off in a 5-3 extra time win over Croatia. Photo by Jonathan NACKSTRAND /POOL / AFP). (Photo by JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesIt is still Spain in a time of transition. While Enrique has many problems to resolve before he travels to Russia, not least how his team went from leading 3-1 after 85 minutes to losing to Croatia, he can be satisfied that he is laying the foundations of another cycle of success.Pedri, a Barcelona midfielder, was outstanding in helping Spain to the brink in normal time. Ferran Torres, a winger, was also impressive, scoring a goal and providing an assist. He showed signs of his potential in his first season with Manchester City, and it is likely that he will continue to improve. Eric Garcia, a 20-year-old, started at centre back and, after few opportunities at Manchester City had, his move to Barcelona will accelerate his growth.Enrique doesn't believe in kids, but his decision to bring back Cesar Azilicueta is a masterstroke. Although he made his Chelsea debut in 2013, the 31-year-old Chelsea defender hadn't played for Spain since November 2018. He scored Spain's first international goal, making it 2-1. Josko Gvardiol was also quiet after the Croatian full-back caused so much trouble for Scotland in their last group match.Azpilicueta said, "We had to suffer." "It has been quite a while since we have played in a knockout match, but today we broke the ice with the World Cup runners up. Although it was not great to be scored against twice as late in normal time, we were the stronger team in extra time, and deserve to continue.Spain were hit by Covid-19 during preparations, finishing second in Group E after Sweden to be placed on the harder side of the draw. They were determined to make life difficult for Croatia too, but they will still be one of eight teams remaining at the end of the week.Enrique's men refuse to leave, quite simply.
