Spain 5-3 Croatia: La Roja advance to Euro 2020 quarter-finals after 8-goal thriller

In what was without a shadow of a doubt the game of the tournament so far, Spain managed to beat Croatia 5-3 in Copenhagen to secure their place in the quarter-finals. 

Spain started off the game on the front foot, with Luis Enrique’s men creating numerous chances in the opening minutes. However, they squandered all the initial opportunities that fell to Koke and Alvaro Morata to name a few. 

The scoring was opened by an own goal, officially credited to Pedri, but the mistake in receiving the back pass was made by goalkeeper Unai Simon. However, the Spaniards scored shortly after thanks to a goal from Pablo Sarabia. 

Both teams went into halftime at 1-1 and Chelsea skipper Cesar Azpilicueta headed in an inch-perfect cross from Ferran Torres on the left flank to put his country ahead. Substitute Pau Torres then took a quick free-kick to find Ferran Torres out on the right, who had acres of space with no one marking him. The Manchester City winger took the liberty to close in on goal and made it three for Spain. 

But, late drama followed as Croatia managed to pull one back in a scramble by fine margins, courtesy of substitute Mislac Orsic. And while they looked beaten 10 minutes before full-time, things changed dramatically as Mario Pasalic headed home a beautiful cross from the Croatian left flank by Orsic in the 92nd minute to make it 3-3 and send the teams into extra-time. 

Numerous chances fell to both teams during extra time, but Spain took two chances to gain a two goal lead for the second time in the game. Josip Brekalo made two poor defensive errors as Alvaro Morata redeemed himself by smashing the ball into the roof of the net to make it 4-3, and Mikel Oyarzabal then scored to make it 5-3.