Spanish extravaganza and Croatian feat: the most spectacular match of Euro 2020 played

The beginning of the first half did not remind of any scoring extravaganza in the future. The Spaniards confidently kept the ball in their possession and methodically crept up to the gate of the Croats, who, in turn, defended just as confidently, counting only on a successful counterattack. However, in the 20th minute, the Spaniards scored a curious own goal. Pedri made a not strong, "duty" pass from the center of the field to his goalkeeper Unaya Simona , who was unable to stop the ball, passing it into the goal.

The reason for the gross error, perhaps, is that all the previous time Simon did not enter the game and lost his concentration.

Before the break, Spain managed to equalize with a goal from Pablo Sarabia , and at the beginning of the second half, Cesar Azpilicueta took advantage of Ferran Torres' pass and brought the Spaniards ahead.

It would seem that Croats can rest and come to terms with defeat. Their attempts to equalize the score came to nothing. And on the 77th minute, Torres received a pass through half the field, easily beat the only defender and shot past the goalkeeper into the far corner. 3-1! The Spaniards and their fans were already vigorously celebrating reaching the quarter-finals, when in the 86th minute Mislav Orshich reduced the score, and in stoppage time, on the 92nd minute after Orshich's pass, Mario Pashalich scored the third goal of his team and thus most transferred the game into extra time.

To say that it was shock and horror for the Spaniards is to say nothing. Moreover, the Croatians began the first half of extra time with a goal situation and shot Simon at close range. A little more, one more hit marks - and they will come forward!

But the Spaniards were able to confirm the class, like the Croats at the end of the second half, scoring two goals in a row. And nevertheless, this score, abundant in goals, could have become more, because both teams were advancing until the last second.

As a result, the Spaniards reached the quarterfinals of Euro 2020, where they will play with the winner in a pair of Switzerland - France. The meeting for reaching the semifinals will be held in St. Petersburg on July 2. And the Croatians are relegated to the 1/8 finals for the second European Championship in a row (recall that 5 years ago they lost to the future champions of the continent to the Portuguese with a score of 0-1).