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:
PENALTY SAVED! Croatia 0-0 Italy
54 mins
Luka Modric steps up and sends his penalty low and to the ‘keeper’s left, but Donnarumma gets down brilliantly to save!
PENALTY! Croatia 0-0 Italy
54 mins
The penalty is given! It’ll be Modric to take...
Euro 2024: Croatia 0-0 Italy
53 mins
The cross across the box finds its way to Kramaric. He cuts back outside and hits a shot towards goal, which comes off the head and then hand of Frattesi.
There’s a VAR check for a penalty! There were huge shouts from the Croatia players.
The hand was in an unnatural position.
Euro 2024: Croatia 0-0 Italy
51 mins
Modric is wasteful this time as he tries the disguised pass behind the defence.
Euro 2024: Croatia 0-0 Italy
49 mins
Croatia have a free-kick in a dangerous area near the edge of the box as Kramaric is brought down.
Modric delivers, but Calafiori heads away. Croatia come again but the cross in is over Budimir’s head, and Italy clear with Dimarco.
Much better from Croatia though.
Euro 2024: Croatia 0-0 Italy
47 mins
Gvardiol does brilliantly to intercept the pass and carry towards goal, before setting it off to Budimir. His pass is overhit though, and Croatia eventually lose it after a poor cross in.
KICK-OFF! Croatia 0-0 Italy
KICK-OFF!
Italy get us back underway.
Croatia have brought off Mario Pasalic for centre-forward Ante Budimir. A show of intent.
The Azzurri have also made a change as Lorenzo Pellegrini comes off for Davide Frattesi. Pellegrini had been one of Italy’s better players, so you wonder if that change might be due to injury rather than a tactical tweak.
HALF-TIME: Croatia 0-0 Italy
We’re all hoping for a better second half, especially anyone with a connection to Croatia.
A reminder that Croatia must beat Italy if they want to go through. It’s highly unlikely that two points will be enough to take them through as one of the best-placed third-placed sides.
If Italy lose to Croatia and Albania beat Spain, who are already through as group winners, then Italy will be out, but with Albania currently 1-0 down to La Roja, that’s looking unlikely.
HALF-TIME: Croatia 0-0 Italy
HALF-TIME: Croatia 0-0 Italy
HALF-TIME!
Croatia do try and get forward, but the ball into the box is just out of the reach of Brozovic. The referee brings the half to an end, and we go into the break level.
Italy have just edged that half, and should be ahead, though they wouldn’t necessarily have deserved it.
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