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Euro 2021: Spain sees the quarters after a duel of madness against Croatia

Metamorphosed perhaps not, but perked up and able to offer Dantesque emotions to his country certainly. A week ago, the Spanish selection chained a worrying second draw against Poland (1-1). We said this new generation in perdition, unable to renew itself far from its original pool fed exclusively by Real Madrid and FC Barcelona.

Luis Enrique’s men have since proven that they have what it takes to honor La Roja’s record. By beating this Tuesday Croatia (3-5 ap) at the end of a match with an unlikely scenario, the Spanish selection offers itself a place in the quarterfinals of Euro 2021. It will be against France or Switzerland Friday in St. Petersburg.

What you must remember

This match had so many twists and turns. Spain initially appeared well above, quickly infiltrating the Croatian area in the first quarter of an hour and winning their duels in the midfield. This ideal start, however, collapsed in the 20th minute on a gigantic ball from his goalkeeper Unai Simon (see below). The Parisian Pablo Sarabia (38th), one of the surprised faces of the Spanish eleven, was responsible for equalizing before Azpilicueta, another new head, logically gives the advantage to his people (57th).

The qualification was then not a fold. Only, like Luka Modric, Croatia passed the second, taking advantage of a physical air gap from Spain symbolized by Sarabia, flushed and replaced in the 71st minute. Ferran Torres deceived his world well by digging the mark (77th), but it was Croatia which dominated and was preparing to resuscitate. In the 85th first with Orsic then by Pasalic, left alone in the penalty area in the 92nd minute.

In fury, the finalists of the 2018 World Cup were not however realistic enough to disgust Spain and pass in front at the start of extra time. This is the moment that Alvaro Morata chose, contested since the start of the tournament, to get everyone to agree despite the first 90 transparent minutes. From a sumptuous volley control-strike sequence, the Turin striker, loaned to Atlético Madrid, scored his second goal in the competition. Three minutes later, Real Sociedad winger Mikel Oyarzábal took care of the fifth and last goal (103rd), definitively folding the meeting.

The fact of the match: extra time in the snatch

In the 92nd minute, this match fell on the side of those stored in memory boxes. Croatia, still behind 3 goals to 1 seven minutes earlier, then equalized on a cross header from Atalanta Bergamo midfielder Mario Pašalić. One always wonders how the Spanish defense could end up in three against three in its area at such a time.

This almost logical return in view of the debauchery of energy of the vice-world champions will not be enough in the end. Three years after its Russian epic, Croatia returns to Zagreb earlier than expected.

Man of the match: Unai Simon

Honestly, history will undoubtedly only remember its ball committed in the 20th minute. An unlikely failed control that offered Croatia the opportunity to lead against the course of the game, even though no player was putting pressure on them. But it would be offensive to the Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper not to dwell on his next 100 minutes.

Unai Simon first delayed the inevitable by making two magnificent parades per hour of play, before saving his family from drowning thanks to his firm hand in the 96th minute of play on a strike from close range.

The number: 2

It was already the second round of 16 whose verdict was tied beyond the classic 90 minutes. Saturday night, it was Italy who had to fight to get out of Austria (1-2).

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