Spain vs Croatia: Under-21 EURO background, form guide, previous meetings Friday 28 May 2021
Article summary
Croatia s first U21 EURO knockout tie could scarcely be more daunting, against holders and five-time champions Spain at Maribor s Stadion Ljudski vrt.
Article top media content David Čolina (centre) previously scored for Croatia against Spain in a U17 EURO final tournament UEFA via Getty Images
Article body
Croatia s first U21 EURO knockout tie could scarcely be more daunting, against holders and five-time champions Spain at Maribor s Stadion Ljudski vrt.
• While Group D runners-up Croatia have never played in the tournament s knockout rounds, Group B winners Spain have now qualified from their section in their last five finals appearances and have never lost a U21 EURO knockout game before the final since the tournament format was introduced in 1998.
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The Nigeria international hit the ground running in the encounter when he set up Ounas with a brilliant pass to open the scoring in the second minute.
Ounas came close to double his side’s lead in the 17th minute when he unleashed a ferocious shot which was parried away by goalkeeper Ivor Pandur.
Crotone continued to dominate the game, dictating the pace and doubled their lead in the 75th minute through Junior Messias after receiving a timely assist from the Algeria international.
With the Pythagoreans on the verge of keeping a clean sheet, Salvatore Molina turned the ball into his net to reduce the deficit for Verona.