The 4-3-3 is immovable for Luis Enrique, as well as the media line formed by Koke, Busquets and Pedri. Only the Covid of the captain of Spain prevented his participation in the debut against Sweden and since then the trio of midfielders has remained undaunted in the other matches.
Thus the things, the changes of the Asturian technician are happening in the other positions. Against Croatia, two touches; one in defense, that of Gayà for Jordi Alba; and another in attack, where he entered Ferran torres in place of Gerard Moreno.
Thus began Spain against the Croatian team, with Unai Simón in goal, a defense formed by Azpilicueta, Eric Garcia, Laporte, Gayà; an average with Busquets, Koke and Pedri; and a forward made up of Ferran Torres, Morata and Sarabia, who repeated in the 'eleven' after their good game against Slovakia.
The coach was right, as Spain came out like a whirlwind to meet, generating good football and chances to score. Only Unai Simón's blunder upset the Red, which reacted by leveling the game before reaching the break.
In the second half, Spain's superiority became apparent and Luis Enrique's first change came in the 72nd minute after the 1-2 scored by Azpilicueta. Pau Torres and Dani Olmo entered for Eric Garcia and Pablo Sarabia, respectively, to give new energy to the national team.
Graphics: SofaScore
Fabián relieved a dedicated Koke in minute 78 'and Jordi Alba did the same, replacing the injured Gayà. Before 90 ', Oyarzabal entered for Ferran Torres.
The changes misled Spain, which could not hold and saw how the courage of Croatia had a prize in the form of an extension.
All of Luis Enrique's changes were piece by piece, that is to say that the drawing of Spain never changed. Not even the entry of Rodri by Busquets changed the scheme.
In extra time, Spain was more forceful than its rival and certified the pass to the quarterfinals.
Spain ended with its inalienable 4-3-3 made up of Unai Simón; Azpilicueta, Pau Torres, Laporte, Jordi Alba; Fabian, Rodri, Pedri; Dani Olmo, Morata and Oyarzabal.