In detention: Spain knocks out the vice world champion

Luis Enrique's young team lost a 3-1 lead in the final minutes of regular time. Thanks to goals from Alvaro Morata in the 100th minute and Mikel Oyarzabal (103rd), it was still 5-3 after extra time for the 2008 and 2012 European champions.

A memorable mistake by Spain goalkeeper Unai Simons led to the ninth own goal of this European Championship by Pedri, who was only 18 years old (20th minute). Pablo Sarabia (38th), César Azpilicuta (57th) and Ferrán Torres (77th) then scored for Spain. Mislav Orsic (85th) and Mario Pasalic (90th + 2) forced extra time in the Croatians' strong final spurt, in which the Spaniards had the happier ending. Huge buck from Simon The Spaniards' motto from the start was: have the ball as much as possible so that Modric doesn't have it. The 35-year-old was the only Real Madrid professional on the pitch after Luis Enrique didn't call up a single player from Los Blancos.

The 1-0 win for Croatia came out of nowhere, something Spain goalkeeper Simon will certainly never forget: When Pedri returned it from a long distance, the ball slipped over his foot and into his own net. It was the ninth own goal at this European Championship - as many as in all other finals before. Conceded an own goal: Unai Simon. © APA/afp / JONATHAN NACKSTRAND

It took the Spaniards about a quarter of an hour to recover from the shock. But then they caused confusion again in the opposing penalty area, where the Croatians were missing the suspended defense chief Dejan Lovren - and took advantage of it: Paris professional Sarabia scored to equalize.

The Croatians started the second half with striker Andrej Kramaric as a joker, but Azpilicueta's header took advantage of further disarray in the backline to make it 2-1. Unlucky Simon made up for his mistake in the first half when he saved from future Leipzig player Josko Gvardiol (67'). Torres then scored again for the efficient Spaniards just as the Croatians were building up some pressure. But the vice world champion saved himself after two more goals in extra time, where the opponent then took advantage of their chances.

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In detention: Spain knocks out the vice world champion

In a spectacular round of 2012, Spain knocked out runner-up Croatia at the European Football Championship and is now one of the best eight teams in a major tournament for the first time since XNUMX.

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