Spain survive in seven-goal classic

Alfonso was the hero for Spain

Spain 4-3 Yugoslavia
(Bruges - Att: 22,000)

Spain performed Euro 2000's late, great escape in a stormy encounter against ten-man Yugoslavia.

The side touted as one of the pre-tournament favourites looked down and out as they trailed 3-2 deep into injury time.

But an equaliser from the penalty spot by Gaizka Mendieta threw them a lifeline to set up a thrilling finale.

Match facts

31: Milosevic puts Yugoslavia ahead

39: Alfonso equalises

51: Govedarica gives Yugoslavia the lead again

53: Munitis replies immediately

64: Jokanovic is sent off

75: Komljenovic puts Yugoslavia's 10 men ahead

90: Mendieta makes it 3-3 from the spot

90: Alfonso claims the injury-time winner for Spain

And in a fitting climax to Euro 2000's most dramatic game, Alfonso scrambled a winner to send Spain through amid scenes of wild celebrations.

Norway were the team left in despair and disbelief as Spain moved into the last eight, ironically with opponents Yugoslavia.

Spain were billed as one of the most naturally gifted teams in Euro 2000, and they finally displayed their rich array of attack talent when they needed it most.

But it looked like another story of Spanish under-achievement for much of game with swings in fortune almost from the kick-off. Milosevic posted a warning for Spain after only four minutes when he headed Predrag Mijatovic's cross wastefully wide from eight yards.

It was the signal for Spain to finally produce flashes of the form that brought them 42 goals in the Euro 2000 qualifiers, but which has eluded them during this tournament.

Mixed fortunes

And it was against the run of play when Milosevic, a success in Spain with Real Zaragosa despite his mixed fortunes at Aston Villa, headed his fourth goal of Euro 2000 after 30 minutes.

Spain's right flank was exposed as full-back Michel Salgado was left injured and out of position, allowing Ljubinko Drulovic to cross for Milosevic to score easily.

Spain's response to the setback that threatened their hopes of further progress in Euro 2000 was instant.

And a spell of intense pressure was rewarded with Alfonso's equaliser eight minutes before half time.

Milosevic celebrates putting Yugoslavia ahead

Real Madrid superstar Raul's persistence unsettled the Yugoslav rearguard, and Alfonso took full advantage to sweep a right-foot finish past Ivica Kralj.

The second half opened in dramatic fashion, courtesy of half-time substitutions from both sides that brought stunning goals for each of the replacements.

Dejan Govedarica put Yugoslavia back in front after 51 minutes with a brilliant left foot strike.

Spain, however, were back on terms in seconds with a goal of equal quality from Pedro Munitis.

Boiled over

He silenced Yugoslav celebrations by curling a precise finish past Kralj from the edge of the penalty area.

A game that had teetered on the edge of football anarchy inevitably boiled over after 62 minutes, when defender Slavisa Jokanovic was shown the red card for a foul on Munitis.

It was a second and deserved yellow card, but the incident threatened to get out of hand when a Yugoslav fan raced down the touchline to confront French referee Gilles Veissiere.

He was swiftly ushered away as the referee was protected by players amid scenes of mass confusion.

It was entirely in keeping with the mood of the match that 10-man Yugoslavia turned logic on its head by regaining the lead with 17 minutes remaining.

The unlikely figure of defender Komljenovic emerged from a penalty box scramble to score.

It looked like the end of Spain's dream - until those two injury time goals turned their tournament upside down.

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Teams:

Spain: Canizares, Salgado (Munitis 46), Abelardo, Helguera, Sergi, Mendieta, Paco (Urzaiz Aranda 65), Fran (Etxeberria 23), Guardiola, Perez Munoz, Raul.

Yugoslavia: Kralj, Djorovic (J. Stankovic 12), Jokanovic, Djukic, Jugovic (Govedarica 47), Mijatovic, Milosevic, Stojkovic (Saveljic 69), Mihajlovic, Komljenovic, Drulovic.

Referee: G Veissiere (France).