Alvaro Morata silenced the critics with a decisive goal as Spain needed extra time to beat Croatia 5-3 in a Euro 2020 thriller.
The Juventus striker had wasted an earlier chance and seen another strike ruled offside, but he stepped up when needed after Croatia came back from 3-1 down to draw 3-3 at the 93rd minute.
The Croatians had achieved that with substitute and Atalanta midfielder Mario Pasalic.
In extra time, Morata gathered a cross from the right with his right boot, then fired in with his left at the back post to put his men back in front.
Mikel Oyarzabal sealed the final 5-3 result moments later.
Spain had originally gone 1-0 down to a shocking own goal, with Unai Simon failing to control a Pedri back-pass, but the goalkeeper made up for it with a huge save in extra time at 3-3.
La Roja will go on to face the winners of France vs. Switzerland in the quarter-final.
Now ππ‘ππ is how you silence your critics
Somehow, this game just keeps getting better β and weβre so here for it #CROESP | #ITVFootball | #Euro2020 pic.twitter.com/GEGVpqfoaa
β ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 28, 2021