UEFA EURO 2020 R16, Spain vs Croatia Highlights: Spain win 5-3 in Extra Time

Croatia start the second half brightly. A shot by Pasalic narrowly goes past the post. Spain gain control of possession again, slowing the game down. Croatia's tired legs surely do not have enough to make another comeback.

Spain 5-3 Croatia

Spain have done it! Oyarzablo slots it home in the 103rd minute. A diagonal ball from the right from Dani Olmo is gently nudged in by the substitute. 

That's the end of the first half of extra time, with those two goals having ended the chaotic nature of the game again.

Unai Simon comes up with a great save to keep out Kramaric. A clear chance and a clear swing at goal. Orsic making those Perisic-y runs down the left as Croatia swarm the Spanish half. On the other end, Vida it is who makes a last ditch block. He's done a Subotic there! Morata does it! Receives the long ball, takes his time, and swings his left foot at it.

Spain lead 4-3 

Orsic with a great attempt, a scorcher which goes just above the bar. Croatia, with the wind in their sail, are the team on the offensive as extra time begins.

Spain try to get a fourth but too many passes in the Croatian third end up in no reward for them. We are going into Extra time! 30 more minutes of action guaranteed. Six goals were scored, but we still have nothing between these two teams.

Now, Croatia advance. Modric, who was at the centre of that Croatian goal, getting more and more involved. Spain slow the pace down. A few off side calls also slow the pace down. Bit, with 3 minutes left, Pasalic gets Croatia level! It's 3-3. A towering header for Pasalic.

Massive! Croatia get the ball to go over the line ... just though ... by inches. Spain had cleared, and it looked they had done enough, but a goal has been signalled. Replays show Croatia did get the ball just beyond the line. It's game on with 5 minutes to go!

Ferran Torres has been the player of the Match. 1 assist and 1 goal. He has six goals and an assist in his last seven starts for Spain. Croatia now concede a few needless free kicks as Spain content to play out the closing minutes at a languid pace.  

Ferran Torres catches Croatia unawares. Has acres of space on the right flank, as the defenders are caught napping. Ferran Torres cuts in and slots in the shot under the keeper's legs. Spain take a 3-1 lead in the 75th minute. 

Rebic gets a rare shot on target for Croatia in the 66th minute. The Croats would be missing Perisic tonight. On that note, Orsic comes on to replace Rebic. Croatia had not attempted a shot in 40 minutes before that. Sarabia goes off, Olmo comes on in his place. Less than 20 minutes left for Croatia to find a way back.

72' - Spain 2-1 Croatia

'65 - Spain 2-1 Croatia

César Azpilicueta, who has scored his first ever goal for Spain (27th cap), has become Spain’s oldest ever goalscorer at the European Championships (31y 304d). Special mention also to Ferran Torres, who has been a constant presence on the right flank.

Pedri snakes into the box. Vida blocks. Spain continue to win the midfield match-ups. One of the crosses finds its way to Azpilicueta who gives Spain the 2-1 lead.

Spain begin the second half like they had ended the first half - in control of possession. Rebic with the first counter-attack into the Spanish half, but loses the ball before the final third.

Sarabia enjoys a spell of dominance down the right flank, Croatia find themselves under the cosh once more. Koke lets loose a long ranger which goes just wide. Spain keep the ball in the opposite half, lobbing in a couple of long balls from time to time. Croatia doing their best to keep their bodies behind the ball. Kovacic threads through a through ball in the last minute of the first half which Rebic almost gets to before the keeper.

Half Time! The scoreline would suggest it has been an equal game. It has not. Spain have utterly dominated, and with the exception of that own goal, have had a spotless half.

Sarabia draws Spain level! After the ball bounces in the box for an eternity, Sarabia is the quickest to it in a crowded box and belts it into the goal. Spain 1-1 Croatia with the first half whistle not far off.

Croatia mount a wave of attacks following the goal. On the back foot for the whole match, the howler from Simon has given them a lift-off. Kovacic tries his luck from outside the box. Spain manage to regain control of the midfield battle at the half hour mark.

You feel for Unai Simon, but what an unbelieavable sight this goal was!

Croatia make one thrilling advance forward, as Rebic tears open the left side of the field. Ferran Torres then creates another great chance! A cross finds a Spanish head, but Vida is there to make a last chance block. Croatia survive, but barely. But then there's disaster! Unbeliavable scenes. Croatia go 1-0 up as an own goal comes from nowhere.

More pressure from Spain! Laporte and Busquets setting up the play from the back. Morata with a backheel sets up Sarabia for a shot but he hits the side netting. Koke, who has been the most active player in the Croatian half, gets a big chance in the 16th minute, as a through ball tears open the Croat defence but he can only hit a weak shot to the keeper.

Spain, in white, with the more attempts in the first few minutes. Koke with a chance inside the Croatian box but he fails to connect and Croatia breathe for now. Ferran Torres finds some space on the right and earns a foul as Kovacic makes a tackle too many. The free kick is saved, but it's all Spain for now.

Match begins, the Spanish midfield knocks the ball around near the centre line. Spain make the first real attempt on goal with a long ball, but the goalkeeper collects the ball.

The teams are out and the anthems are done. All set for the first R16 match of the day.

Spain's Pedri is the youngest man to start a knockout game at the Euros. He beats Wayne Rooney's record, held since 2004. This Spain team has the look of work in progress. Croatia, on the other hand, have several war weary veterans - one of whome, Perisic, is out with the Covid virus.

Spain XI: Simón; Azpilicueta, García, Laporte, Gayà; Busquets, Koke, Pedri; Ferran, Sarabia, Morata.

Croatia XI: Livakovi?; Juranovi?, ?aleta-Car, Vida, Gvardiol; Brozovi?, Kova?i?, Modri?; Vlaši?, Rebi?, Petkovi?.

Spain and Croatia have had similar recent history. They've not conceded too many goals, but as their struggles in this tournament has shown, they've not been scoring too many either. Which side will find their scoring boots tonight?

Match starts at 9:30 pm IST, team news out soon