Alvaro Morata's extra time goal allowed Spain to win a remarkable 5-3 victory over Croatia in a thrilling Euro 2020 last-16 tie in Copenhagen.Luis Enrique's team dominated the first stages of the match but lost the game in strange circumstances after Unai Simon, goalkeeper, mishandled Pedri’s 49-yard backpass and bounced into his own net (20).La Roja responded by scoring three goals through Pablo Sarabia (38), Cesar Azilicueta (57) and Ferran Torres (76) without reply. However, Croatia, which appeared to be out of it at that time, made a remarkable comeback to send them into extra-time.Substitute Mikel Orsic brought down the deficit by scoring a close-range goal. (85). Mario Pasalic was then able to score Orsic's goal (90+2) and spark wild Croatia celebrations at Parken Stadium.Three years ago, Croatia was runners-up in the World Cup. Andrej Kramaric made a remarkable save from Simon, as they increased the pressure.Morata was criticized by Spanish fans for missing the group stage, and wasted another great opportunity in the first period. Spain took control of the match (100), with a relentless drive.Dani Olmo, a former Chelsea striker, was then released to cross for Mikel Olzabal. Spain scored their fifth goal (103), while Croatia fought in the final stages of extra time. However Spain held on to win a record fourth European Championship victory.They have won the second highest scoring game of the competition's history and will now face the winner in St Petersburg, France against Switzerland.Ratings of Croatian players: Livakovic (6), Juranovic 6(6); Vida (6); Caleta-Car ((6)), Gvardiol (5/5), Modric (7).Subs used: Pasalic (8) and Orsic (8). Kramaric (5). Budimir (6). Brekalo ((6).Spain: Simon (7). Azpilicueta (7). E Garcia (6). Gaya (6). Koke (6). Busquets (7). Pedri (7). Sarabia (8). Morata (8). Ferran Torres (9).Subs: Pau Torres ((6)), Olmo (8), Alba (6) and Ruiz (6, Ruiz 6), Oyarzabal 7).Ferran Torres was the man of the matchSpain wins crazy game!After disappointing draws against Sweden and Poland, Spain was dominant in their final Group E match against Slovakia. They also started strongly against Croatia to try for their first knockout win in a major tournament since 2014.They were not able to capitalize on their initial dominance at the tournament.Image: Spain's equaliser was scored by Pablo Sarabia following Pedri’s goalSarabia hit a diagonal shot into Croatia's side-netting, while Koke was denied entry by Dominik Livakovic, after grabbing onto a threaded through ball from Pedri.Morata was the one who wasted their best opportunity.Team news Croatia was without Ivan Perisic who tested positive for Covid-19 Saturday. Dejan Lovren was also suspended. Ante Rebic, Duje Caleta–Car, replaced them.Spain boss Luis Enrique made two adjustments to their 5-0 win against Slovakia. Jose Gaya, Ferran Torres and Gerard Moreno were preferred over Jordi Alba or Gerard Moreno.Enrique, who had been defending Enrique throughout the preparations for the game, stood firm and directed a Ferran Torres cross at Domagoj Vida, Croatian defender, from close range, when it seemed easier to score.Although there were some half-hearted pleas from Spanish players for handball, officials refused to stop play and Spain's bizarre goal - the ninth in the tournament – arrived less than one minute later.Image: Spain goalkeeper Unai Sim reacts to his early mistakePedri's backpass was firmly hit and bouncing on it's way towards the goalkeeper. However, his error was inexplicable, the ball only touching Simon's foot as he tried to control it and it caused momentum to temporarily swing Croatia's direction.After being played in by LukaModric shortly afterwards, Nikola Vlasic shot into the side-netting. Mateo Kovacic then sent a long-range effort just a few yards above the bar.Spain was rocking, but slowly settled back into the match. The equaliser arrived when Sarabia responded quickly after Jose Gaya's low attempt was parried by Livakovic.Image: Ferran Torres celebrating scoring Spain's third goalLa Roja came back on top, picking up where they left off after their break. Azpilicueta was in front of them after Pedri (the youngest player to play in a European Championship knockout at 18 years old and 215 days) had found Ferran Turres on the left.Ferran Torres was causing serious problems for Croatia. Soon after Simon made an excellent save to deny Josko Garudiol, he scored Spain's third goal. He capitalized on the complacent defense from the Croatian left-back at one end following a quick-taken free kick from substitute Pau Torres.2 Ferran Torres (21y120d) is the youngest player who has both scored and assisted in a major tournament match (World Cup/Euros). This was after @cesc4official (21y37d) vs Russia at EURO 2008. Talent. #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/fn5gi7aGEJ OptaJoe - June 28, 2021Croatia seemed to be over at this point, but there was more to come. After Modric's excellent work, Orsic scored a goal that rattled Spain. Then, in the second half of injury time Pasalic was free to go home with the dramatic equaliser.Image: Mario Pasalic celebrating after scoring his dramatic equaliserSimon, who had made some progress towards redemption with his stop at Gvardiol normal time before Spain's collapse, then made certain of it by keeping Kramaric's close-range attempt early in the second period of extra-time.However, he was almost beat shortly before that, when Aymeric Laporte's poor clearance fell to Orsic, who fired an ill-advised shot just inches above the bar.Spain struggled to regain their composure while Croatia tried for the fourth goal. However, momentum changed once again when Morata scored an Olmo cross and beat Livakovic using a spectacular drive from the Croatian box on the left-hand side.It was a moment of catharsis for Morata. He was also involved in the fifth goal. Olmo again combined well with Morata, allowing Olmo to cross for Oyarzabal. Oyarzabal held off Josip Brakalo before scoring home.Image: Morata scored a goal and helped to set up another.Croatia nearly won the game in extra-time, when Ante Budimir shot a low shot from a Pasalic through ball. However, that was their closest chance to retake the lead.Spain was actually close to increasing their lead, with Morata being denied by Livakovic and Olmo curling against the post. They had done enough by that point.Opta stats: Goals galore in CopenhagenImage: Croatia won the extra-time game with two goals late in the second halfAfter France v Yugoslavia, in the 1960 semi-finals, Croatia and Spain were the two highest-scoring matches in European Championship history (5-4 to Yugoslavia).Spain is the first European Championship side to score five goals consecutively.At Euro 2020, seven goals were scored by Croatia. This is their highest total at an edition at the European Championships.It was the first time that five different goal scorers were allowed to score in Spain's single match at a major tournament.Pedri's goal from the own goal was Spain’s first ever in the European Championships. It came from a distance 49 yards - the longest own-goal in competition history and the first to be scored from outside of the box.Pedri's goal at Euro 2020 was the ninth, which is the same number as the 15 previous editions.Alvaro Morata scored his fifth goal at European Championships and became Spain's joint-highest scorer with Fernando Torres.Spain's Pedri, aged 18 and 215 days was the youngest player to begin a knockout in European Championship history. He overtook Wayne Rooney (18y 244d v Portugal 2004).Spain will face France or Switzerland in St Petersburg's Euro 2020 quarterfinals on Friday, July 2, at 5pm. Kick-off is at 5pm.
