Mattia Zaccagni came off the bench to fire a superb equaliser in the last minute of added-time and snatch Italy a 1-1 draw with Croatia to send the holders through to the knockout stage of Euro 2024.
Just moments after seeing his second-half penalty saved, Luka Modric fired Croatia ahead from close range in the 55th minute.
Italy looked to be left to rely on other results to progress as one of the best third-placed teams before Lazio winger Zaccagni curled home a superb strike in the eighth minute of stoppage-time.
WE LOVE THIS GAME. pic.twitter.com/6G8fc0fp51
— Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri_En) June 24, 2024
Croatia were well beaten by Spain in their opening Group B game and then conceded a late equaliser to draw 2-2 with Albania, which left them facing an uphill task to reach the knockout stage.
Zlatko Dalic’s side started brightly, with Luka Sucic sending a rising 25-yard drive towards the top corner which Gianluigi Donnarumma pushed away at full stretch.
Italy, looking to recover from their own defeat by Spain, went close when a header from Genoa striker Mateo Retegui was deflected wide off Croatia defender Josko Gvardiol.
The Azzurri threatened again just before the half-hour mark after Nicolo Barella clipped over a cross from the right which floated through the six-yard box to Inter team-mate Alessandro Bastoni, and the defender’s powerful header was tipped over by Dominik Livakovic.
🇭🇷 Livaković''s start against Italy 💪#EURO2024 | #CROITA pic.twitter.com/Invv9Efe4I
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) June 24, 2024
The Croatia keeper was soon called into action again as he got down to save a low 20-yard effort from Lorenzo Pellegrini.
Croatia were awarded a penalty in the 54th minute following a VAR review for handball by Italy substitute Davide Frattesi, only just sent on at the start of the second half, after Dutch referee Danny Makkelie had checked the pitchside monitor.
Modric’s spot-kick, though, was saved by Donnarumma low down to his left.
The Croatia fans behind the goal, however, were soon celebrating when Modric slammed home a rebound after Donnarumma had produced another fine reaction stop from Ante Budimir at point-blank range – which saw the 38-year-old Real Madrid midfielder become the oldest scorer in the tournament’s history.
Centre-back Bastoni almost produced a swift response but headed over from a corner as Croatia continued to hold a strong defensive line despite being pressed deep.
Federico Chiesa was played into the right side of the Croatia penalty area and sent a low cross through the six-yard box, where Gianluca Scamacca was just not able to get a final touch.
Final whistle in Leipzig. With the last shot of the game, Italy has equalized and #Croatia finishes third in Group B.#EURO2024 #CROITA #PokažiSrce #Vatreni❤️🔥 pic.twitter.com/LS12EYKdua
— HNS (@HNS_CFF) June 24, 2024
Just when it seemed Croatia had done enough, Italy struck in the last minute of added time when Riccardo Calafiori played in Zaccagni on the overlap down the left – and the Lazio frontman curled a sublime effort into the top right corner.
The dramatic finish sees Italy finish second behind group winners Spain, who beat Albania 1-0 in Dusseldorf
Croatia, who have two points, must wait on other results to see if they can qualify for the last 16.
Interim boss Stephen Frail expects Motherwell to appoint a new manager next week and admits their first job will be to lift the players’ confidence after a 3-0 mauling at home to Ross County.A double from Ronan Hale and Connor Randall’s last-minute strike secured an impressive victory for the Staggies at Fir Park.Defeat sees the Steelmen drop into the bottom half of the Premiership tab...
Mark Hughes heaped praise on goalkeeper Gabe Breeze after Carlisle picked up a vital point in the League Two relegation battle with a goalless draw against in-form Colchester at Brunton Park.Breeze made two excellent saves from Lyle Taylor as the Cumbrians ended a four-game losing run and the former Man City boss was astounded by the 21-year-old’s performance.He said: “The game had som...
Chesterfield boss Paul Cook launched a scathing attack on his play-off hopefuls after they surrendered an early lead to lose 3-1 at Sky Bet League Two table-toppers Walsall.The Spireites enjoyed a rapid start when Jamie Grimes’ eighth-minute header put them ahead against a wobbling Walsall side, who were winless in five matches with the chasing pack closing in.However, Bim Pepple and Dylan D...
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has allayed fears of an injury scare to top scorer Erling Haaland ahead of next week’s Champions League trip to Real Madrid.Haaland went down clutching his leg in the latter stages of the champions’ 4-0 Premier League thrashing of Newcastle at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday and was immediately substituted.Losing the Norwegian would be a major blow to ...
Rotherham manager Steve Evans described Thomas Parsons’ performance as “atrocious” after the referee awarded a stoppage-time penalty from which Reading snatched a 2-1 victory in League One.Reading had led 1-0 at half-time through top scorer Harvey Knibbs but Sam Nombe levelled for Rotherham from a spot-kick in the 57th minute.With the game heading for a draw, Parsons adjudged Mil...
Michael Flynn believes his team can make a charge towards the League Two play-offs places after watching them come from 2-0 down to beat Barrow 3-2 at home.Matty Taylor scored twice before fellow substitute Ashley Hay hit the winner as the Robins continued their perfect home record in 2025.Cheltenham climbed to 13th in the table and sit eight points off seventh-placed Crewe with two games in hand....
Birmingham manager Chris Davies praised Jay Stansfield’s work ethic after he lit up St Andrew’s with the only goal of a 1-0 win to sink play-off chasing Charlton.Stansfield’s 23rd-minute strike stretched City’s lead to nine points ahead of second-placed Wycombe, with Blues boasting a game in hand.Victory was City’s 30th in all competitions as they extended their unbea...
Andoni Iraola refused to get carried away after Bournemouth fans were left dreaming of a potential Champions League adventure following a first league double over south-coast rivals Southampton.Travelling Cherries fans chanted of playing in European football’s premier competition next season after their side soared to fifth spot in the Premier League table thanks to a deserved 3-1 success at...
Norwich head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup praised his side for fighting back to draw 1-1 at Hull after he demanded “I want to see my football team back”.The Norwich boss had some tough words for his team as they trailed 1-0 at half-time to the relegation-threatened side, including for Kellen Fisher – but the player then delivered the assist for Josh Sargent’s equaliser.The Un...
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers says Jota has a chance of starting against Bayern Munich after scoring and impressing in a 3-0 victory over Dundee United.Jota earned the club’s man-of-the-match award after cutting in from the left and curling home from 18 yards to double the lead given to the hosts by another impressive finish from Callum McGregor.The Portuguese winger has now started two gam...
