Spain 4-3 Yugoslavia, 2000 group-stage
Trending
Believe it or not but this was a time when Spain were the “perennial underachievers” of international football, before they broke their 44-year drought in 2008 to commence an era which earned them the status of God’s gift to football. During Euro 2000, Spain found themselves on the cusp of an unexpected exit from the group stages of the tournament and needed no less than a victory in their final match against Yugoslavia.
This fixture saw Spain comeback thrice to clinch the win in the most dramatic fashion. Yugoslavia took the lead through eventual top-scorer of the tournament Savo Milosevic on the half hour mark, cancelled out just eight minutes later by Spain’s forward Alphonso.
They again went a goal down just after the break but were even quicker to respond, this time, Pedro Munitis scoring with a marvellous curling shot just a minute later.
It looked the same old story for the Spanish contingent as a 10-man Yugoslavia team notched a third goal through a set-piece in the 75th minute. With 90 minutes up, Spain were staring down the gun barrel and six minutes of injury time were added.
Drama ensued in the 90(+4)th minute as Spain were awarded a penalty which was duly dispatched and in an ‘AGUEROOOOO’ style moment, Alphonso clinched the all-important winner in the 96th minute to send his team through.
