ITALY are through to the Euro 2024 last-16 but they left it really late!
Luka Modric’s second-half strike seemed to be enough for the Croatians to join Group B winners Spain in the knockouts.
However, Mattia Zaccagni’s 98th-minute equaliser snatched second place off the Croatia.
- RESULT: Croatia 1-1 Italy
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- TV channel: BBC One
- Croatia XI: Livakovic, Juranovic, Sutalo, Pongracic, Gvardiol, Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic, Susic, Kramaric, Pasalic
- Italy XI: Donnarumma, Di Lorenzo, Bastoni, Calafiori, Darmain, Dimarco, Jorginho, Barella, Pellegrini, Raspadori, Retegui
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Luka awarded player of the match
There is never a sight more downbeat than a player on the losing team being awarded the man of the match award.
Luke Modric looked as though he wanted to be anywhere but on that pitch as Croatia try to deal with Euro 2024 heartache.
While there is still a very slim chance they could progress as one of third placed teams, with a measly two points, it seems unlikely.
Credit: Getty Italy secure place in knockout phase
The Azzurri will now face Switzerland in the ’round of 16′.
During the group stages they won one game, lost another and today’s draw in the final match seals their progress.
Luciano Spalletti knows they will have to raise their game to go further in the tournament but for today it is mission accomplished with Spain having already qualified from Group B.
Azzurri grab point from jaws of defeat
What a difference a minute can make in football.
It seemed as though Italy were going to be left with egg on their face as Croatia headed towards victory.
They capitalised on some poor defending from their opponents and took their chance with almost the last kick of the game.
As the final whistle blew, you could see just how much this meant to those players and their manager.
Credit: AP Credit: Getty
Legends are hard to find and replace
He gave it his all in this game and was integral in Croatia getting the goal that seemed to be sending them towards victory.
Modric became the oldest player to score in the Euro finals this evening but you can see the dejection on his face at the final whistle.
Croatia just could not see the game out and now look unlikely to progress to the next phase.
FT: Croatia 1-1 Italy
Croatia had a big chance there to book their place in the next round.
They paid the price for gifting away possession so late in the game.
It was a sublime goal by Zaccagni and ensures the holders are through to the next round.
FT: Croatia 1-1 Italy
Once again Croatia are robbed by a late goal.
The players look dejected out there, knowing that this probably signals their departure from the tournament.
Spalletti was running down the touchline as that goal nestled in the back of the net.
Croatia 1-1 Italy
90+8. Just as Croatia had an opportunity to keep the ball in the corner of the Italian half, they give the ball away.
Italy come forward and the ball is played into the path of Zaccagni who bends it into the far corner.
If it stays like this, Italy will take second place in the group.
Goal – Mattia Zaccagni (Italy)
Croatia 1-0 Italy
90+6. Croatia are showing their experience now.
They are playing the ball into channels of space, knowing they are running the clock down further.
In the other game in this group, it has ended in victory for the Spanish.
Credit: AFP
Croatia 1-0 Italy
90+4. Croatia are passing the ball around trying to retain possession.
As the clock ticks down they know this will just frustrate their opponents more.
Calafiori was shown a yellow card for a challenge and will miss the next game.
Croatia 1-0 Italy
90+2. Scamacca has a shot from distance but it deflects wide for an Italian corner.
As the cross comes in, it is well dealt with by the Croatian defence.
More importantly, they are able to hold onto the ball and draw a foul to run the clock down further.
Croatia 1-0 Italy
90. There are some tired Croatian legs out there now.
Kramaric is coming off for Juranovic.
We are going to have eight added minutes in Leipzig.
Croatia 1-0 Italy
88. Italy so close to an equaliser.
A teasing ball across the six yard box but Scamacca just could not get the required touch to it.
Croatia breath a sigh of relief.
Croatia 1-0 Italy
86. The Italians certainly know how to milk a foul.
While in many cases you cannot deny contact, it certainly isn’t enough for them to be rolling around like they have stepped in a bear trap.
Time is starting to run out for Luciano Spalletti’s side.
Credit: Getty Croatia 1-0 Italy
84. Should the unthinkable happen and Albania get two late goals, Italy would be heading out of Euro 2024.
Croatia are starting to put some pressure on The Azzurri again.
A second goal for the Croats would surely seal victory.
Croatia 1-0 Italy
82. Fagioli is coming on for Jorginho.
Both managers are looking to get some fresh legs on the pitch for the final push of this game.
Stanisic is shown a yellow card for a foul although it seemed the Italian made a meal of it.
Croatia 1-0 Italy
80. Brozovic plays a sublime ball into the box.
Bastoni does brilliantly to get there first and head out for a throw in.
If he had not, it seemed a Croatian goal was certain.
Modric is coming off for Majer.
Croatia 1-0 Italy
78. Pongracic is shown a yellow card for a foul.
Croatia need to be wary now not to lunge in with the challenges as the last thing they want to do is go down to ten men.
This game is still finely poised with time starting to run out for Italy.
Croatia 1-0 Italy
76. Italy are looking the more confident in possession.
They seem more able to guard the ball and make Croatia chase the game.
As a ball is threaded in between the lines, the assistant raises his flag for offside.
Credit: Getty Croatia 1-0 Italy
74. Croatia are having to withstand a lot of pressure now.
They need to try and control the ball for a spell to give their defence a breather.
It almost seems that the Croatians are looking to hold onto what they have now.
Croatia 1-0 Italy
72. Italy have a free kick in a dangerous position outside the box.
The Azzurri have plenty of options for who is going to take this.
Raspadori strikes it but it deflects off the wall and over the crossbar.
Croatia 1-0 Italy
70. As balls are played into the box, Croatia are starting to snatch at their clearances with no intention of retaining the ball.
Susic is coming off for Perisic now.
Zlatko Dalic is looking to get all his experience out on the pitch.
That said, he is also bringing off Kovacic for Ivanusec.
Croatia 1-0 Italy
68. Italy are starting to ask questions of the Croatian defence.
Croatia just cannot get out of their own half currently.
The Azzurri seem to have taken it up a gear now.
Croatia 1-0 Italy
66. Italy try to thread passes through the Croatian defence.
The ricochet favours the Croats as it runs harmlessly through to the keeper.
That goal was just what this game needed.
Credit: Getty Croatia 1-0 Italy
64. The pressure is really on Italy now.
Although they may still qualify, they would have a much tougher game in the knockout phase.
Croatia will just look to pick them off on the break now as they throw more players forward.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
