Mattia Zaccagni broke Croatian hearts with a 98th-minute equalizer to send Italy to the round of 16 at Euro 2024 and put their opponents on the brink of elimination.
Luka Modric’s spectacular opener looked set to send Croatia into the last 16, but it will be Italy who face Switzerland in Berlin on Saturday after securing second place in Group B behind Spain in sensational scenes in Leipzig .
With just two points, Croatia – who also conceded an equalizer against Albania in stoppage time – now need England to beat Slovenia by at least three goals on Tuesday if they are to become one of the best third teams.
As time passed, Italy grew desperate. Gianluigi Donnarumma had saved Modric’s second-half penalty – after Davide Frattesi had been penalized for handball following a VAR check – but the 38-year-old magician converted from close range 33 seconds later before celebrating emotionally with his teammates.
When Modric was substituted with 10 minutes remaining in regulation time, he received a standing ovation from the Croatian fans. It looked like his final magical moment was going to send Croatia into a knockout adventure at a major tournament. Instead, his 178th cap appears to be his last appearance in a major tournament for his country.
Alessandro Bastoni missed another big chance to head his effort which was brilliantly saved by Dominik Livakovic early on and Gianluca Scamacca failed to convert Federico Chiesa’s low cross as Italy frantically searched for a answer. But it was sub Zaccagni who scored his first international goal to transform the narrative.
Riccardo Calafiori burst in and then fed the Lazio winger down the left channel. His curling finish with his right foot was exquisite, bending inside the far post. A moment of beauty – but a big blow for Croatia.
Joy…and despair!
The Italian Mattia Zaccagni bends in his brilliant last-gasp equalizer…
…and runs away to celebrate
The contrast of emotions was enormous…
…but it was very painful for Luke Modric in what is almost certainly his last appearance in a major tournament
Analysis: Modric cruelly denied another magical night
Croatia’s Luka Modric applauds his country’s supporters after the draw against Italy
Peter Smith from Sky Sports:
With Spain and Italy in the same group, there was always the chance that Luka Modric’s fifth European Championship and ninth major tournament with Croatia would end in disappointment. But the manner in which their dramatic draw against Italy was cruelly painful for the 38-year-old.
He had become the oldest goalscorer in Euro history when he made up for his missed penalty with a close-range finish and as he was applauded late on, it looked like he had done the business again for Croatia. The conductor of the Croatian play had found the decisive moment. But dreams of another run at a major tournament were dashed by Italy’s equalizer virtually on the last kick of the match.
Modric, watching from the dugout, was helpless. A big win for England against Slovenia seems unlikely, given the performances of Gareth Southgate’s side so far. And another major tournament for Modric – the 39th in September – is surely a step too far, even for a player who intends to continue playing for Real Madrid next season. He was coy about his international future after the match. But that could mean his end on the international stage.
Star performer: Mattia Zaccagni
Italy’s Mattia Zaccagni folds in his brilliant late equaliser
Peter Smith from Sky Sports:
A name many could be forgiven for not knowing before kick-off. A name that Croatian fans won’t be able to get out of their heads after this. Mattia Zaccagni. The 29-year-old Lazio winger picked the perfect time to score his first international goal in his seventh cap for Italy.
And what an ending it was. A wonderful bending effort into the far corner that contrasted with the disjointed, desperate football Italy produced after Modric’s opener. Zaccagni won Serie A Goal of the Season for an overhead kick in 2021. But it’s perhaps the one he cherishes the most.
