Connect with us

Football

Croatia v Italy LIVE: Reaction as Azzurri snatch las-gasp equaliser to go through

Published

on

Croatia v Italy LIVE: Reaction as Azzurri snatch las-gasp equaliser to go through

Young fan runs onto pitch for selfie with Cristiano Ronaldo at Euro 2024

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:

1719264913

Italy escape after serving up tactical lesson and a reminder – to Euro 2024 hopefuls and themselves

And so Italy became the first team to go where no other nation among the favourites at Euro 2024 have bothered, or dared, or thought worthwhile, so far.

No, not to go all-out-attack and wipe the floor with an opponent – Germany did that on the opening night. Not to drop a big name, either, or to leave out a leading goalscorer.

Instead, Luciano Spalletti ensured the Azzurri were the first of the big guns to attempt to show their tactical proficiency in more than one distinct shape, altering their set-up from a back four and wide forwards in the opening two fixtures to line up 3-5-2 against Croatia in their decisive Group B encounter.

Against Spain in particular, their wide players had failed to have any kind of impact and Federico Chiesa was one of those to pay the price, making way as Spalletti’s alterations saw a roving two-man strikeforce come into play, Gianluca Scamacca also pulled into bench duty, key man from the qualifying campaign Giacomo Raspadori replacing him and Matteo Darmian starting as a third central defender.

It lasted an hour, before panic mode set in.

Chris Wilson24 June 2024 22:35

1719265213

How Albania left a unique mark on Euro 2024, even with an early exit

It is a fair walk from Dusseldorf Hauptbahnhof to the Merkur Spiel-Arena. It clocks in at around 90 minutes, typically, although it feels much longer in 27 degrees of heat, with the spring sun glancing off the surface of the Rhine and slow-roasting your cheeks. Still, the long, straight, riverside route is scenic, and on Monday evening the blue of the Rhine was balanced out by the streams of red on its bank, as swathes of Albanians and Spaniards made their final pre-game trek of the group stage.

For the Albanians, it would be their last at Euro 2024, full stop. Not that they saw that as an inevitability before kick-off.

They outnumbered the Spanish supporters convincingly on this particular path, and they were in jubilant voices and seemingly confident spirits. Near the start of the route, at a junction by Oberkasseler bridge, the fans who had opted against walking to the stadium were either driving or hanging out of cars – the latter group sang and waved flags; the former blared their horns, having tied the national crest to their bonnets.

Chris Wilson24 June 2024 22:40

1719264313

Spain’s second XI prove they’re better than most first teams at Euro 2024 but one key flaw remains

If this was very much the night’s second match, those watching Italy-Croatia may have missed the chance to see the fifth-best team a Euro 2024. That just happens to be Spain football’s second team, who kept playing with a fluidity beyond virtually everyone else at the tournament.

They had many of the same qualities as the first team, if also the same flaws in the finishing. That didn’t matter here, as they beat Albania football 1-0 to make it a perfect three wins from three in the group stage. They will now surely look to become the first European champions to win all their games, something no one has yet done, even in the 16-team era. That is what Spain should be aiming for.

This isn’t to diminish Albania, who did eventually up it at the end as they knew they had a chance to stay in this competition but they couldn’t get close enough. They sank to their knees in disappointment at the end, but there was probably considerable exhaustion from chasing passes in that too.

Chris Wilson24 June 2024 22:25

1719264013

FT: Croatia 1-1 Italy – Italy are through to the last 16!

Here’s that Zaccagni goal in real time. What a superb finish!

Chris Wilson24 June 2024 22:20

1719263713

Next games

So Spain and Italy advance from Group B for certain. Croatia face a nervous wait to see if they’ll be in the next round.

Italy will face Switzerland in Berlin on Saturday, 29 June at 5pm BST.

Spain do not yet know their opponents, but they know they will be playing on 30 June at 8pm BST in Cologne. They will play the third-placed team from one of Group A, D, E or F.

Chris Wilson24 June 2024 22:15

1719263413

Group B standings

So, this is how Group B looks after the final round of games.

1 (Q) – Spain – 9 points, GD +5

2 (Q) – Italy – 4 points, GD +1

3 – Croatia – 2 points, GD -3

4 – Albania – 0 points, GD -2

Chris Wilson24 June 2024 22:10

1719262962

FULL-TIME! Croatia 1-1 Italy

Unbelievable emotion at the end there. The difference between the Italian and Croatian players.

(Getty Images for FIGC)
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Chris Wilson24 June 2024 22:02

1719262780

FULL-TIME! Croatia 1-1 Italy

There’s no more time for a Croatia attack and the game ends 1-1!

Italy are through in second place, and Croatia will likely be out!

Chris Wilson24 June 2024 21:59

1719262734

GOAL! Croatia 1-1 Italy

GOAL! Unbelievable ending and Italy are level and heading through in second!

It’s a brilliant goal too. Calafiori collects the ball near halfway and the space opens up in front of him. he surges towards the box before laying it off to Zaccagni on the left. He hits it first time, curling an inch-perfect effort into the side-netting of the far corner!

Chris Wilson24 June 2024 21:58

1719262596

Euro 2024: Croatia 1-0 Italy

Croatia think they’re through on goal but Bastoni was fouled.

Chris Wilson24 June 2024 21:56

Continue Reading