LEIPZIG, Germany
Mattia Zaccagni's superb last-gasp strike fired Italy into the Euro 2024 knock-outs with a 1-1 draw against Croatia in a fraught Group B clash on Monday.
Italy progress in second place
behind winners Spain and will face Switzerland in the last 16, while Croatia
are on the verge of elimination but could still progress depending on other
results later in the week.
With only two points it is
unlikely Zlatko Dalic's side will qualify as one of the four best third-place
teams but it is still possible.
It seemed enough for his team
but Zaccagni whipped a brilliant strike into the top corner on the break in the
98th minute to send Italy through from what was dubbed a "group of
death".
After shipping five goals in
the first two games, Dalic opted to shore up the midfield by bringing in Mario
Pasalic and Luka Sucic amid four changes.
The coach also kept the
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.
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.
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