8 Thrilling Goals At Parken Stadium, Spain Beats Croatia 5-3

JAKARTA - Spain's thrilling 5-3 victory in the last 16 of Euro 2020 Monday night started with a nightmare for goalkeeper Unai Simon after a blunder that awarded Croatia a goal. However, the match ended beautifully when his precise save in extra time became the key to the Matador team's victory.

Spain looked in control when Simon failed to control Pedri's back pass in the 20th minute and watched helplessly as the ball bounced past his feet into his own net to put Croatia 1-0 up.

The goal was created as far as 49 yards or almost 45 meters to become the longest own goal ever to occur at the Euros and the first from outside the penalty area.

However, Simon's 24-year-old team-mates still have faith in their goalkeeper.

"We have full confidence in him," said captain Sergio Busquets.

"Unai has a very calm mentality but at the same time, he is ambitious. And I think he showed that with his reaction to the own goal with the saves he made. After the own goal, he was very safe."

Simon, who threw his shirt into the crowd after the game and was hugged by his teammates, was praised for his stop-ball shot but his lack of composure in possession has drawn criticism. Both of these things were clearly seen in the match against Croatia.

His blunder left the three-time European champions behind until Pablo Sarabia equalized for Spain who is sliding into the last eight after Cesar Azpilicueta and Ferran Torres put them 3-1 ahead before conceding two goals in the last minute.

Spain finally won after passing extra time.

"Mistakes are part of football and when they are made by the goalkeeper then everyone pays more attention to them," said Mikel Oyarzabal, who scored in the 103rd minute, three minutes after Alvaro Morata made it 4-3.

"Our belief in Unai has not changed. I have been involved with very few groups of players who are as united or confident as this."

The finish was chaotic in stoppage time, as Mislav Orsic and Mario Articleic scored to equalize for Croatia, giving Simon a chance to make amends in the first half.

As Croatia pushed forward and looked set to take the lead, Simon made a superb save to deny Andrej Kramaric's shot on target early in stoppage time.

The save sparked the spirit of Spain, whose quick goals from Alvaro Morata and Mikel Oyarzabal set up a quarter-final meeting with France or Switzerland in St Petersburg on Friday.

"This is football and anything can happen," said Busquets. "But the most important thing is to come back, show a strong mentality, and I think both Unai and the whole team did that today."