During a night of football that will be remembered for years to come, Alvaro Morata scored perhaps the most crucial goal for his country in the ongoing Euro 2020. The Juve striker’s goal proved to be the winner as Spain beat Croatia 5-3 in the Round-of-16.
The two teams shared eight goals on the night, as their match finished 3-3 in regular time. However, Morata’s strike, compounded by another by Mikel Oyarzabal minutes later, pushed Spain over the line and into the next stage of the tournament.
Spain dominated from the kick-off and had two glorious opportunities to take the lead before the breakthrough goal. Koke spurned a great chance by shooting straight at Dominik Livakovic from close range before Alvaro Morata headed off target similarly. Against the run of play, and much to the shock of the Spanish contingent, Croatia took the lead. Pedri’s long back pass to Unai Simon carried too much weight, and the ball bounced away from the custodian into an unguarded net.
La Roja, however, hit back before the break. A quick switch of play to the left allowed Jose Gaya to take a shot, which Livakovic saved. However, the ball fell into the path of Pablo Sarabia, who lashed it in from close range. Minutes after the restart, Spain took the lead through Cesar Azpilicueta, who converted a pin-point Ferran Torres cross into a goal. Torres, then, himself got in on the act, as he raced on to a long pass before cutting inside and slotting the ball past the Croatian goalie.
Croatia looked dead and buried at that moment, but the 2018 World Cup finalists didn’t stay down for long. Substitute Mislav Orsic pulled one back five minutes from time before assisting Mario Pasalic for the equalizer in stoppage time.
Extra-time beckoned, and Simon redeemed himself with a good save from Andrej Kramaric’s shot. Minutes later, Spain took the lead again through Morata, who brought down a Dani Olmo cross before smashing a fierce volley into the roof of the net. Oyarzabal ensured Spain’s berth in the quarters with an insurance goal three minutes later.
