Alvaro Morata turns Spain saviour after troubled start to Euros

Call it shutting mouths, call it vindication, call it pulling a thorn out of his side. Redemption. The player most discussed, questioned and at times lynched of the Spain national team is Alvaro Morata. He was a protagonist in the win over Croatia that took La Roja through to the quarters of Euro 2020.

The Madrid-born forward has endured a lot of pressure, including threats to him and his family, but he put it to one side and scored a crucial goal in extra-time to put Spain 4-3 up.

The Juve forward worked hard, ran to the end, drew fouls, played with his back to goal, and more, although you know if you are a forward you will be judged on your goals. And he got it in the end, after a couple of clear Croatia chances should have put them ahead.

If he was already a fixture in Luis Enrique’s Spain team, the coach won’t take him out now.