Mattia Zaccagni scored a crucial goal in the dying moments of stoppage time, ensuring Italy advanced to the last 16 of Euro 2024 with a dramatic equalizer against Croatia.
Luka Modric’s second-half goal had Croatia on course to progress as Group B runner-up. However, Zaccagni’s precise shot into the far corner in the eighth minute of added time concluded a thrilling finish for the defending champions.
Croatia’s coach Zlatko Dalic expressed frustration over the extended stoppage time.
“You can’t have eight minutes of added time after that game, it’s nonsense,” Dalic remarked. “There weren’t so many breaks in play, or so many fouls to justify that. I don’t want to cause a fuss but I think Croatia needs to be acknowledged and respected. We played for almost three hours.”
Italy needed just a draw to move forward, while Croatia required a victory to remain in the tournament. Croatia, with two points from three games, now relies on other results to potentially qualify as one of the best third-place finishers.
Dalic seemed resigned to his team’s fate. “I don’t think we’ll make it through,” he stated.
Italy is set to face Switzerland in the round of 16 at Berlin’s Olympiastadion on Saturday. The final will also be held there on July 14.
“We were a bit soft at times in the game, we didn’t produce our best football,” Italy coach Luciano Spalletti admitted. “When you can afford to draw the game, that’s how it goes, you know a draw is enough, you are a bit more timid.”
Spalletti was asked if he was worried about trailing in stoppage time. He responded, “Worries and concerns are part and parcel of this job. We did what we needed to do.”
Modric had earlier scored 33 seconds after his penalty was saved by Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, making him the oldest goal-scorer in the tournament’s history. At 38 years and 289 days, Modric surpassed Ivica Vastic’s record, who scored at 38 years and 257 days for Austria against Poland at Euro 2008.
After Modric’s penalty miss, Croatia quickly regained possession, and Donnarumma saved a shot from Ante Budimir. Modric capitalized on the rebound in the 55th minute.
The Croatian fans celebrated exuberantly, sending showers of beer into the air.
Alessandro Bastoni came close for Italy with a header that went just over the bar, as Italy urgently sought an equalizer. A loss could have led to Italy’s elimination, depending on other results.
Modric played defensively until he was substituted to standing ovations in the 80th minute. “He wasn’t tired,” Dalic explained, saying he wanted to rest his star player.
Italy’s persistent pressure eventually yielded results, with Zaccagni’s curling shot securing the necessary draw in the final moments.
