8. Spain knock out Croatia in epic thriller.

An underwhelming Spanish side faced an ageing Croatian team in the last sixteen of the competition as both sides had flattered to deceive in the group stage.

The Spanish had failed to score in their opening two games and finally sprung into life with a 5-0 win over Slovakia in the last game of their group. Whilst Croatia themselves recovered from an opening day defeat to England.

What unfolded was a match that simply had everything, Croatia took the lead with a comical own goal by Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simon, unfazed the Spaniards struck back and looked to have an unassailable lead, having been 3-1 up with five minutes left on the clock.

Croatia had other ideas however and struck twice in the dying embers of the tie to drag a bewildered Spain into extra time.

Enter the much maligned Alvaro Morata who climbed off the bench to put Spain back in command of the contest with a thumping finish.

It was poetic justice for Morata who had been a victim of a torrent of online abuse due to some sub par performance’s in the competition. Yet when they needed him the most he was there to haul his country over the finish line as the Spaniards advanced with a pulsating 5-3 victory.

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