Italy secured a spot in the Euro 2024 last 16 with a thrilling 98th-minute equalizer from Mattia Zaccagni, breaking Croatian hearts in the process. Luka Modric’s dramatic opener had initially put Croatia in the driving seat, but Italy fought back to snatch a crucial point and advance to the knockout stage.
Croatia, on the other hand, now find themselves in a precarious position, with only two points in the group stage. To have any hope of progressing, they will need England to defeat Slovenia by at least three goals in their upcoming match.
The match was filled with tension and drama, with Modric showcasing his magic once again before being substituted to a standing ovation from the Croatian supporters. Despite his heroics, it looks like this tournament may be his last on the international stage.
Italy had their fair share of missed opportunities, with Alessandro Bastoni and Gianluca Scamacca both coming close to scoring before Zaccagni’s late heroics. The equalizer came after a brilliant build-up play, with Riccardo Calafiori setting up Zaccagni for a stunning finish that left Croatia reeling.
The emotion on the pitch was palpable, with Italy celebrating wildly while Croatia was left to ponder what could have been. The contrast in emotions was evident, especially for Modric, whose illustrious international career may be coming to an end.
Overall, the match was a rollercoaster of emotions, with Italy showing resilience and determination to secure their spot in the next round. As the Euro 2024 tournament progresses, all eyes will be on how the teams fare in the knockout stage and whether Croatia can defy the odds to keep their hopes alive.