Spain wins after extra time

Croatia exits following an incredible comeback

28.06.2021.

Photo by: Drago Sopta/HNS

In an exciting EURO 2020 Round of 16 encounter in Copenhagen, Spain overcame Croatia 5:3 after extra time.

CROATIA - SPAIN 3:5 (3:3, 1:1)
EURO 2020, Round of 16.
Parken Stadium, Copenhagen.

Referee: C. Cakir (Turkey)

Goals: 1:0 - Pedri (20', ag), 1:1 - Sarabia (38'), 1:2 - Azpilicueta (57'), 1:3 - Ferran Torres (77'), 2:3 - Oršić (85'), 3:3 - Pašalić (90+2'), 3:4 - Morata (100'), 3:5 - Oyarzabal (103')

Cautions: Brozović (73'), Ćaleta-Car (84')

Croatia: Livaković, Gvardiol, Ćaleta-Car, Vida, Juranović (74' Brekalo), Brozović, Kovačić (79' Budimir), Modrić (114' Ivanušec), Rebić (67' Oršić), Vlašić (79' Pašalić), Petković (46' Kramarić). Head coach: Z. Dalić.

Spain: Unai Simon, Gaya (77' Jordi Alba), Eric Garcia (72' Pau Torres), Laporte, Azpilicueta, Busquets (101' Rodri), Koke (78' Fabian Ruiz), Pedri, Sarabia (72' Olmo), Ferran Torres (88' Oyarzabal), Morata. Head coach: L. Enrique.

Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

Zlatko Dalić's men have performed extraordinarily searching for a EURO 2020 quarterfinals berth, creating a sensational comeback in the closing minutes, but it was Spain who had the final say.

Spain saw more of the action from the kick-off, but Livaković managed to stop Koke, with Morata shooting wide, and on 20 minutes - Croatia took the lead, when Unai Simon failed to control Pedri's backpass.

Still, the Spanish side managed to equalize before the break. Gaya's effort was parried by Livaković, but Sarabia converted on the rebound.

In the second half, Spain scored two more. Azpilicueta headed the ball in on 57 minutes, while Ferran Torres was calm to finish off on 77 minutes, and it seemed the game is getting out of Croatia's hands (3:1).

Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

However, in the 85th minute, Oršić squeezed the ball over the line, and in added time another Croatia substitute, Pašalić, headed home following Oršić's cross from the left.

In the opening minutes of extra-time, Kramarić couldn't find the way past Unai Simon, and Spain responded with two quick goals to finally win. Morata and Oyarzabal used two Olmo's assist to make it 5:3.

Denmark, Italy, Czech Republic, and Belgium have already secured their EURO 2020 quarterfinal berth, while three more pairings will provide the remaining quarterfinalists: France - Switzerland, England - Germany, and Sweden - Ukraine.

Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

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