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  • Writer's pictureThe Season Ticket

Euro 2020 | Spain edge Croatia in eight-goal thriller

Spain have beaten Croatia 5-3 after extra time in a thrilling Euro 2020 last 16 tie in Copenhagen.

Alvaro Morata and Mikel Oyarzabal scored in extra time to seal La Roja's passage through to the quarter-finals, where they will face Switzerland on Friday.

Croatia took the lead in the 20th minute in bizarre circumstances, with Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon failing to control Pedri's back-pass from distance and the ball rolling into the Spanish net.

Luis Enrique's side responded well and drew level in the 38th minute when Pablo Sarabia smashed a powerful shot into the net from 10 yards after Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic saved Jose Gaya's initial low drive.

The sides went in level at the break, but Cesar Azpilicueta headed Spain into the lead from Ferran Torres' left-wing cross in the 57th minute at Parken Stadium.

Spain extended their lead to 3-1 in the 76th minute when Pau Torres' quickly-taken free kick from deep found Torres on the right wing and the Manchester City attacker cut inside into the box before tucking the ball into the far bottom corner.

Zlatko Dalić's Croatia pulled one back in the 85th minute when Mikel Orsic smashed home from close range following a good run by Luka Modric.

Mario Pasalic then produced a header in the second minute of stoppage time from Orsic' cross to send the tie to extra time.

Morata restored Spain's lead in the 100th minute with a sumptuous left-footed volley into the roof of the net.

Oyarzabal put the game beyond doubt three minutes later, slotting Dani Olmo's cross past Livakovic from eight yards.

More to follow...

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