Mattia Zaccagni curled dwelling a 98th-minute equaliser as defending champions Italy booked a round-of-16 spot at Euro 2024 on Monday with a 1-1 draw towards Croatia, whose match hopes have been left hanging by a thread.
Italy will subsequent face Switzerland, who completed second of their group after a 1-1 draw with Germany on Sunday.
Luka Modric gave Croatia a Fifty fifth-minute lead, moments after lacking a penalty, and that regarded like sending them via earlier than late substitute Zaccagni bent a shocking end previous the despairing dive of Dominik Livakovic into the far nook.
“It was very aggravating, we saved battling till the top,” Modric stated after the match. “However soccer was cruel with us tonight, it was merciless. It’s arduous once you lose like this to explain how you’re feeling. The soccer Gods do not all the time smile on you, however we have to bounce again.”
The consequence left Italy second in Group B on 4 factors, with Croatia third however now taking part in an anxious ready sport to see whether or not two factors will likely be sufficient to take them via to the knockout stage as the most effective 4 third-placed sides.
Spain, who topped the standings, beat Albania 1-0 to complete with an ideal document of their three video games and go away the eradicated Albanians all-time low with one level.
Albania’s loss additionally propelled sides not in motion into the spherical of 16, with England, France and the Netherlands now assured to complete no less than among the many 4 greatest third-placed groups.
Italy had been rocked with defeat by Spain, which might have been extra emphatic than the 1-0 scoreline, but if there was some solace for Luciano Spalletti’s facet heading into Monday’s match, it was that Croatia had been even much less spectacular within the occasion.
“There are issues that occur in our matches which might be illogical however we have to take what the boys have of their qualities and put them able to specific themselves at their greatest,” Spalletti stated. “We handed via the group stage with advantage. Now we can have an opportunity to consider the subsequent match [in the last 16].”
The Croats’ 3-0 loss to Spain and 2-2 draw with Albania had left them on the precipice, and one of many predominant points that had dogged them on the match — how you can flip possession right into a purpose menace — re-emerged within the first half towards Italy.
Croatia barely gave the Italians a kick for many of the first 20 minutes, nevertheless it was not stunning that that they had solely Luka Sucic’s long-range pile-driver, which was parried over by Gianluigi Donnarumma, to indicate for his or her efforts.
Italy regarded way more purposeful, with Mateo Retegui’s having a few half possibilities earlier than Alessandro Bastoni had the very best alternative of the primary half, assembly Nicolò Barella’s lofted ball to the far submit with a header saved by Livakovic.
Nonetheless, the second half was solely minutes previous when Croatia have been awarded a penalty. Andrej Kramaric’s shot struck the outstretched arm of half-time substitute Davide Frattesi, and though referee Danny Makkelie waved play on, the VAR despatched him to take a look on the display after which he swiftly modified his thoughts.
Modric stepped as much as take the spot kick, however his effort was saved brilliantly by Donnarumma low to the keeper’s left, though it was solely a momentary reprieve for Italy.
Seconds later, a header by Croatia half-time substitute Ante Budimir drew one other excellent save from Donnarumma, however Modric was available to gobble up the rebound, which he fired into the roof of the web to atone for his penalty miss.
At 38 years, 289 days, Modric grew to become the oldest scorer in European Championship historical past with the purpose, however Croatia’s celebration can be short-lived.
Italy pushed arduous for a route again into the sport, and substitute Gianluca Scamacca was inches from connecting with a cross within the 87th minute.
Nonetheless, with Croatia’s followers beginning to have fun what they thought can be a victory, Italy struck that devastating late blow.
“Immense satisfaction, I am excited, it is a stupendous night,” Zaccagni stated. “It was vital to attract to qualify in second place. We did properly to remain within the sport with an incredible second half. We deserved this draw. The coach did properly to create this group, we are going to attempt to repay him on the pitch.”
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