Croatia 1-1 Italy

Mattia Dzakani broke Croatian hearts with a 98th-minute equalizer to ship Italy into the final 16 of Euro 2024 and put their opponents getting ready to relegation.

Luka Modric’s dramatic aim regarded set to ship Croatia into the knockout levels, however Italy will as an alternative face Switzerland on Saturday in Berlin after ending second in Group B behind Spain in sensational scenes in Leipzig.

With simply two factors, Croatia, who additionally drew degree with Albania in stoppage time, now want England to beat Slovenia by a minimum of three targets on Tuesday if they’re to maneuver as much as the highest third-placed groups .

The clock was off, Italy was determined. Gianluigi Donnarumma saved Modric from the spot within the second half – after Davide Fratesi was penalized for handball following a VAR overview – however the 38-year-old magician transformed from shut vary after 33 seconds earlier than celebrating emotionally along with his team-mates.

When Modric was despatched off 10 minutes earlier than full time, he obtained a standing ovation from the Croatia followers. His ultimate second of magic regarded set to ship Croatia into the knockout levels of a significant match as soon as once more. As a substitute, his 178th cap is prone to be his final look at a significant match for his nation.

Alessandro Bastoni wasted one other nice probability to go forward along with his effort, which was brilliantly saved by Dominik Livakovic early on, whereas Gianluca Scamacca was unable to clear Federico Chiesa’s low cross as Italy frantically looked for a reply. But it surely was Sub Zakanyi who got here up along with his first worldwide aim of remodeling storytelling.

Riccardo Calafiori broke ahead after which fed the Lazio winger into the left channel. His curling right-footed shot was beautiful, curling in on the far submit. A second of magnificence – however a tough blow for Croatia.

Pleasure… and despair!

Evaluation: Modric cruelly refused one other magical night time

Sky Sports activities’ Peter Smith:

With Spain and Italy in the identical group, there was all the time the chance that Luka Modric’s fifth European Championship and ninth main match with Croatia would finish in disappointment. However the method of their dramatic draw with Italy felt brutally painful for the 38-year-old.

He turned the oldest goalscorer in Euro historical past when he made up for his penalty miss with a close-range feint, and when he was applauded on the finish, it regarded like he had performed it once more for Croatia. The decisive second was invented by the conductor of the efficiency of Croatia. However desires of one other main match berth had been dashed by Italy, who equalized with just about the final kick of the sport.

Modric, watching from the dugout, was helpless. A giant win for England over Slovenia appears unlikely given the performances of Gareth Southgate’s aspect to this point. And one other main match for Modric – 39 in September – is definitely too far, even for a participant who intends to proceed taking part in for Actual Madrid subsequent season. After the sport, he was coy about his worldwide future. However this may very well be the tip of him on the worldwide stage.

Star performer: Mattia Dzakani

Sky Sports activities’ Peter Smith:

A reputation that many may very well be forgiven for not figuring out earlier than the match began. The title will keep on with Croatia followers after that. Mattia Dzakanyi. The 29-year-old Lazio winger picked the proper time to attain his first worldwide aim in his seventh cap for Italy.

And what a end it was. An exquisite, bending shot into the far nook that was in distinction to the sharp, determined soccer that Italy produced after Modric’s first aim. In 2021, Dzakanyi gained the aim of the season award in Serie A for an overhead kick. However that is maybe the one he cherishes probably the most.

Statistics: Historical past of the match