LEIPZIG, Germany: Mattia Zaccagni scored a great goal at the very end to send Italy into the next round of the Euro 2024 tournament. They tied Croatia 1-1 in a tense Group B match on Monday.
Italy moves on to the next round, where they will play Switzerland in the round of 16. They finished second, behind winners Spain. Croatia is almost out, but they could still move on depending on what happens later this week.
Zlatko Dalic’s team has only two points, so it’s not likely that they will be one of the four best third-place teams, but it’s still possible.
With his goal in the 55th minute, Luka Modric of Croatia became the oldest player in the history of the competition. It came just 33 seconds after Gianluigi Donnarumma saved the 38-year-old’s penalty.
His team looked like they had won, but in the 98th minute, Zaccagni scored a great goal on the break to send Italy through from what was called the “group of death.”
Dalic made four changes to the team, including adding Mario Pasalic and Luka Sucic to the midfield to make it stronger after giving up five goals in the first two games.
The coach also kept established trio of Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic despite their struggles in the 3-0 defeat by Spain and 2-2 draw against minnows Albania.
Luciano Spalletti’s Italy beat Albania 2-1 but were dominated by Spain in a 1-0 defeat and the coach shifted to a 3-5-2 formation, dropping Juventus’ Federico Chiesa.
Croatia dominated the opening exchanges against a defensive Italy side knowing a draw would send them through in second place behind group winners Spain.
On his first start at the tournament 21-year-old RB Salzburg midfielder Sucic forced a fine early save from Italy’s Gianluigi Donnarumma with a vicious drive from range.
Azzurri forward Mateo Retegui’s header was deflected narrowly wide at the other end on a rare forray forward, with the two-time winners happy to slow the game down and waste time at corners and throw-ins as early as the 20th minute.
Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic made a stunning stop to thwart Alessandro Bastoni, found by Nicolo Barella’s tempting cross, as the holders gained control without taking risks.
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Dalic, who steered Croatia to the 2018 and 2022 World Cup final and semis respectively, threw on powerful striker Ante Budimir for the second half.
It gave his team a focal point and they looked instantly more threatening and swiftly reaped their reward.
Italy substitute Davide Frattesi handled Andrej Kramaric’s effort and after a VAR review Croatia were given a penalty.
Donnarumma clawed out Real Madrid midfielder Modric’s effort but the veteran could not be denied 33 seconds later.
The Italian goalkeeper made another fine save in the aftermath from Budimir as Croatia kept the pressure up and Modric smashed home the rebound from close range.
He beat the previous record for oldest Euros goalscorer set in 2008 by Austrian Ivica Vastic by 32 days.
Modric was replaced with 10 minutes to go and even some Italy supporters afforded the playmaker an ovation, while they nervously eyed the ever-advancing clock.
Croatia thought they had progressed but Zaccagni broke their hearts in the eighth and final minute of stoppage time.