Croatia v Italy LIVE: Reaction as last-gasp Zaccagni goal sends Azzurri through to Euro 2024 knockouts
Croatia 1-1 Italy: An equaliser with the final kick of the game sent the Azzurri through and likely knocks Croatia out
A dramatic added-time goal from Italy’s Mattia Zaccagni snatched a 1-1 draw with Croatia which was enough to earn them a place in the last 16 of Euro 2024 and likely sends Croatia home.
After a goalless first half, Croatia’s Luka Modric had a penalty saved in the 54th minute but just 60 seconds later he smashed home a rebound after Gianluigi Donnarumma pulled off another fine save from Ante Budimir.
The goal brought defending champions Italy to life, and they pressed for the equaliser which would take them through and, with time running out, Zaccagni curled home a shot from distance to break Croatian hearts.
It meant Italy finish as Group B runners-up and will face Switzerland in the last 16, while Croatia are third on two points and must wait to see if they will progress as one of the best four third-placed finishers, although it is now unlikely.
Relive all the drama below:
Euro 2024: Croatia 1-0 Italy
70 mins
Ivan Perisic comes on for Sucic, while Kovacic is replaced by Luka Ivanušec as Croatia look to defend their lead.
Euro 2024: Croatia 1-0 Italy
69 mins
Livakovic punches the corner away, before the cross from Chiesa is then cleared by Gvardiol.
Euro 2024: Croatia 1-0 Italy
67 mins
The ball across comes all the way to Darmian in the box, but he chooses to cross rather than shoot and it’s cleared again. All Italy again now though, as they win another corner after good defending from Pongracic.
Euro 2024: Croatia 1-0 Italy
66 mins
Better from Italy as Barella carries towards the box and Frattesi almost combines with Retegui, but it runs to Livakovic.
Euro 2024: Croatia 1-0 Italy
65 mins
Chiesa wins a corner down the right wing. It comes back out to Darmian, but his chip into the middle of the box is cleared.
Euro 2024: Croatia 1-0 Italy
63 mins
Spain still lead Albania, so Italy would still be likely to go through as it stands, though it would be in third place, so it would depend on other results. If Albania were to turn that result around, Italy would finish bottom though.
The Azzurri are looking to respond here, but Chiesa can’t keep in the pass on the right wing.
Euro 2024: Croatia 1-0 Italy
61 mins
Chiesa clips an early ball in but Pongracic does well to slide in and divert it behind. From the corner, Bastoni rises high for a free header, but he can’t get it on target!
Euro 2024: Croatia 1-0 Italy
60 mins
Luka Modric goes into the book for a late challenge on Frattesi.
Euro 2024: Croatia 1-0 Italy
58 mins
That’s injected some life into the game. Italy respond by making a change, with Federico Chiesa coming on for Dimarco.
GOAL! Croatia 1-0 Italy
55 mins
GOAL! Unbelievable! Croatia are ahead!
It’s lovely play from Croatia as the ball is clipped in and Budimir gets a foot to it to direct it goalwards, but Donnaruma gets down once again to save brilliantly.
He can only palm it out back into the box through, and Modric is alert to it to reach it first and fire it into the roof of the net!
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