Croatia 3-5 Spain: 5 Talking points as Spain score twice in extra time to seal quarter-final berth | UEFA Euro 2020

#3 Croatia and Spain produce the second-highest scoring game in European Championship history

Croatia vs Spain - UEFA Euro 2020: Round of 16

With Spain scoring twice against Croatia in extra time, two of the six games thus far at Euro 2020 have been decided in extra time. Interestingly, there was little indication of what was in store when the two teams went to the break with the score at one apiece.

Suddenly, there was a flurry of goals in the second half and extra time, making this game one of the highest-scoring ones in European Championship history.

With the thriller in Copenhagen producing eight goals, this game became the second-highest scoring match in European Championship history, after the opening game of the inaugural Euros in 1960 when Yugoslavia beat France 5-4.

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#2 Alvaro Morata silences his critics with a virtuoso performance

Croatia vs Spain - UEFA Euro 2020: Round of 16

Alvaro Morata saw his share of poor misses at Euro 2020, which has attracted criticism from fans and critics alike. But against Croatia, Morata looked very dangerous. Alongside his attacking partners, the Juventus striker troubled the Croatian defenders.

His crowning moment came in extra time when he scored the goal that gave Spain the lead. Morata handled Dani Olmo's inviting cross, moved away from his marker and chested down the ball before unleashing an unstoppable left-footed strike into the roof of the net.

5 - Álvaro Morata 🇪🇸 (five goals in eight games & 28 shots) has equalled Fernando Torres (five goals in 13 games & 37 shots) as the Spanish Top Scorer in an European Championship Finals ever. Recognition#EURO2020 #CroatiavsSpain #Morata #alvaromorata pic.twitter.com/bT2BWq2oAH

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) June 28, 2021

This was his second goal of the campaign, and he is now the joint-top scorer for Spain at the European Championships, alongside Fernando Torres.

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#1 Rampant Spain have a record-breaking night

Croatia vs Spain - UEFA Euro 2020: Round of 16

Spain's win over Croatia was one of the best games at a major tournament in recent history.

The eight-goal thriller was also a historic game. It was the second-highest scoring goal in the competition's history and the first time a team scored five goals in consecutive games at the Euro finals.

5 - #ESP are the first side to score at least 5 goals in two different games in a single Major Tournament edition (#Euro + World Cup) since Brazil in 1958 World Cup (5-2 vs France in Semifinals & vs Sweden in the Final). Show#EURO2020 #CroatiaSpain pic.twitter.com/FB39wmucqJ

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) June 28, 2021

Spain's achievement puts them alongside Brazil in an extraordinary category. Only Brazil in 1958 scored five or more goals twice in a single edition of a major tournament before Luis Enrique's side this year.

The three-time winners will be ones to watch out for at the business end of the tournament.

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