Croatia vs Spain highlights Euro 2020: Spain beat Croatia 5-3 in extra-time to advance to the quarterfinals

All done and dusted. Let's go!

The referees lead the players outs. Time for national anthems.

In what is their sixth European Championship tournament, Croatia have made it through to the knockout stages for a fourth time. However, they have failed to progress beyond the first knockout game on each of the previous three occasions (quarter-final in 1996 and 2008 and last 16 in 2016).

Croatia last faced Spain in any competition during the 2018/19 UEFA Nations League. While the Croatians won the most recent of those two meetings (3-2 in November 2018), they lost the other 6-0 in September 2018, a result that remains their heaviest ever defeat in international football.

Spain have been eliminated from both of their last two major tournament knockout round matches: the last 16 stages of Euro 2016 (v Italy) and the 2018 World Cup (v Russia).

They face their toughest challenge yet against a resurgent Croatia side led by the evergreen Luka Modric. They started the tournament with 0-1 defeat to eventual group toppers England, played out a 1-1 draw against Czech Republic, and then sealed their last 16 berth in style with a thumping 3-1 win over Scotland. Eventually, the Croats finished second and their previous game shows that the players have hit top gear at the right time.

Euro 2020 will light up once again on Monday when two familiar foes in Spain and Croatia square off against each other at the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen. Denmark. The last time they met at the European Championships, Croatia registered an impressive come-from-behind 2-1 win. This time, however, they are expected to face a stern test as Spain comes into this game on the back of a scintillating 5-0 win against Slovakia. La Roja finished second in their group with 5 points, having played out a 1-1 draw against Poland and a goalless finish against Sweden.

"I think it's a police matter really," Luis Enrique said Sunday ahead of Spain's game against Croatia in the round of 16.

"Because when it comes to death threats, particularly in regard to family and kids, that's a serious offense. … I think it's a matter for the authorities, so that it can be met with a robust response."

"I really cannot imagine who would make that kind of comment on social media because it can be really damaging, not just to the player but also to the family and to the kids," Spain captain Koke Resurreccion said.

"That's a step too far and it really has to be condemned."

Being a professional footballer in a football-frenzy country comes with its challenges and it is something Spain striker Alvaro Morata can vouch for form, who recently said that he was subjected to death threats on social media for misses numerous chances during the Euro 2020 group stage. Addressing the same, Spain coach Luis Enrique has asked the police for a "robust response".

No Ivan Perisic for Croatia after testing positive for Covid-19. Speaking about his unavailability, coach Zlatko Dalic said he will be missed but he has enough replacements

"Perisic is hard to replace and he's been our key player in the group stage but this can happen and we have to adapt," the 54-year-old coach told a news conference on Sunday.

"Fortunately, we have more options in Perisic's position than in any other at this tournament so whoever steps in should be able to do a good job.

"Whether it's Mislav Orsic, Josip Brekalo, Ante Rebic or Andrej Kramaric, we will try to take the game to Spain and prevent them from keeping possession because sitting back will get us nowhere.

Croatia: Duje Caleta-Car replacing suspended Dejan Lovren

Ante Rebic replacing covid positive Ivan Perisic.

Spain: Jose Gaya replacing Jordi Alba and Ferran Torres coming in for Gerard Moreno.

Playing XI: Livakovic, Juranovic, Caleta-Car, Vida, Gvardiol, Kovacic, Modric, Brozovic, Vlasic, Rebic, Petkovic.

SUBS: Kalinic, Sluga, Vrsalkjo, Brekalo, Kramaric, Budimir, Pasalic, Skoric, Orsic, Badelj, Bradaric, Ivanuse

Playing XI: Unai Simon, Azpilicueta, Garcia, Laporte, Gaya, Koke, Busquets, Pedri, Ferran Torres, Morata, Sarabia.

SUBS: De Gea, Sanchez, Diego Llorente, Pau Torres, Marcos Llorente, Gerard Moreno, Thiago Alcantara, Rodri, Fabian Ruiz, Jordi Alba, Olmo, Oyarzabal.

Hello and Welcome to the live coverage of this blockbuster Euro 2020 Round of 16 clash between Croatia vs Spain at the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen, Denmark. The last time these two sides met at the European Championship, Croatia secured a come-from-behind 2-1 win. Will history repeat itself on Monday? Stay tuned to find out.