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 0-0 Italy
23 mins
Italy win another corner as Pellegrini gets in behind the defence and cuts back a lovely volleyed cross. but Retegui’s shot is deflected behind.
Raspadori swings a cross towards the back post but it’s high and wide.
Euro 2024: Croatia 0-0 Italy
21 mins
CLOSE! The first chance of the night, finally. Italy venture forwards and Calafiori finds himself in space down the left. He curls an inviting cross towards Retegui, who narrowly heads wide! Should have hit the target really.
Euro 2024: Croatia 0-0 Italy
20 mins
Retegui is brought down by Pongračić and Italy will have a chance to pump the ball into the Croatian box. They don’t take it though, as Jorginho passes sideways instead.
Euro 2024: Croatia 0-0 Italy
17 mins
Sutalo does well to shrug off the challenge from Raspadori and keep possession, before Gvardiol wins a free-kick near halfway.
Calafiori eventually blocks the cross from the right, and it bounces straight to Donnarumma.
Not the most exciting game so far.
Euro 2024: Croatia 0-0 Italy
14 mins
Di Lorenzo wins a corner from an early cross, but Dimarco’s ball in is cleared. Modric tries to launch a counter, but he’s beaten for pace.
Euro 2024: Croatia 0-0 Italy
13 mins
Kovacic does well to win possession in the middle, but Croatia can’t build a counter before Kramaric’s cross is cleared by Calafiori.
Croatia come once again, but they’re moving it too slowly and are lacking any penetration at the moment.
Euro 2024: Croatia 0-0 Italy
11 mins
No chances of note so far, as Dimarco heads miles wide.
Euro 2024: Croatia 0-0 Italy
10 mins
Kovacic and Modric combine in the Croatia half to pass their side out of trouble. They recycle possession to the defenders several times, before Modric Brozovic’s attempted through ball is cut out.
Euro 2024: Croatia 0-0 Italy
7 mins
Italy are struggling to keep possession so far, having tried a couple of long balls forward already. Kovacic is the latest to intercept a loose Italian pass.
Italy do eventually create an attack as Pellegrini spreads it wide to Di Lorenzo, but his early cross is easily cleared for a throw.
Euro 2024: Croatia 0-0 Italy
5 mins
Croatia’s first foray into the box ends with Bastoni shepherding Kramaric off the ball for a goal kick.
Moments later, Luka Sucic has a go from distance, and he forces a good save from Donnarumma, who tips it over for a goal kick.
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