Euro 2020 on BBC Dates: 11 June-11 Jul Locations: Amsterdam. Live coverage on BBC TV, BBC Radio 5 Live and iPlayer. Also available via the BBC Sport website or app. For more information, click hereUnai Simon's 49-yard backpass into his net was the beginning of Spain's Euro 2020 final-16 match with Croatia.It will be remembered as one of the greatest tournament knockout ties, thanks to the eight-goal thriller that ensued with Spain winning 5-3 in extra-time.Simon is relieved to find that his bizarre howler was just a footnote during a lively Copenhagen encounter. He would then go on to redeem himself for his terrible mistake.Unai Simon's lonely return to his goalSpain's classic goal in the wrong netA 10-pass maneuver that involved seven players leads to a goal. Classic Spain. The opener also had the longest range in European Championship history. It was a shame that it was an own goal.All the drama began when Pedri, the 18-year-old youngest player to ever start a Euros knockout match, grabbed the ball at the centre circle and decided that he would return it to his keeper.Simon, a 24-year-old Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper, had nearly half of the pitch to see the ball return to him, but completely misjudged his attempts to control the ball, barely getting a touch as it rolled past him into the empty net.It was originally credited to Simon's own goal, but Pedri received the 'honour'."You won't see a more bizarre goal than this." He had a complete loss of concentration and lost his focus at the last moment," Izzy Christiansen, an England international, said on BBC Radio 5 Live.This was the move that led to Pedri's goalPedri's attempt was only 49.4 yards away, which is just 0.3 yards less than Patrik Schick (in the right net), for the Czech Republic against Scotland earlier in the month. This goal holds the record of the longest-ranged strike in Euros history.This was, however, the ninth own goal at Euro 2020 sofar. This is the same number as in 2016, 2012 and 2008, 20, respectively... in fact, it's as many own goals combined as in any other European Championship (15 Euros).Wayne Rooney should have scored a Jorg Steil goal at Euro 2004.Dion Dublin, a former England striker, said for BBC Sport: "What a mistake by the goalkeeper." His concentration levels have dropped. He loses his focus on the ball and doesn't even look at it."If in doubt, make sure to get the largest part of your body behind it. He turns off."Spain fans couldn't believe what they saw... but they didn't know what was going to happen later in this game.Guillem Balague, a Spanish journalist covering football, was not surprised by the result. Unai Simon of La Liga holds the record for most goals conceded by mistakes - eight per season."He is a goalkeeper that makes mistakes, and a lot come when he has to play the ball."This is the second consecutive Spain game to feature an unusual and bizarre own goal. Martin Dubravka, Slovakia's last group match, tipped a cross over the bar and pushed the ball into his own goal.Simon's redemptionSimon had his chance to redeem himself after Croatia scored twice in five minutes of normal.He accepted it.Croatia was 4-3 up when Andrej Kramaric scored a powerful goal from close range. However, the goalkeeper quickly reacted and saved it.After Alvaro Morata had restored Spain’s lead, he also denied Kramaric a second time.Sergio Busquets, Spain captain, said that Unai "knows he has our complete confidence." He was calm and collected despite the fact that he had to concede a goal. He was extremely secure after the goal, and made some outstanding saves."Ferran Torres, goal scorer, agreed that Unai was a great goalkeeper. He was brilliant in his reaction to the situation and saved us with some great stops, especially when it was 3-3.Christiansen said, "He'll feel so relieved." Christiansen said, "If you are a midfielder and make an error, you have so many more chances to make up the error. But that is not always the case with a goalkeeper.He has a lot to be proud of and it shows the strength of mental power in sport. He has now recovered from an unfortunate incident."He saved some incredible points and dealt with everything very well."Luis Enrique, Spain manager, said that Unai had taught a lesson to all children. "Football is full of mistakes and his reaction, making great stops, was an example why we have such faith in him."
