Reigning European champs Italy equalized in the 98th minute against Croatia to send themselves through to the last 16 and all but end Croatia’s hopes of joining them.
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Croatia knew they needed a win to go through and 38-year-old Luka Modric became the oldest-ever goalscorer in European Championship history as he put them ahead in the second half, moments after having his penalty kick saved by the excellent Gianluigi Donnarumma.
That goal looked like it would be enough to send Croatia through and make Italy wait to be one of the best third-place teams, but then substitute Mattia Zacagni curled home a stunner with the last attack of the game in the 98th minute to make it 1-1 and grab the draw that Italy needed to secure their spot in the last 16.
Luciano Spalletti’s side will be breathing a huge sigh of relief, while we may have just seen the last of Modric and Co. on the international stage as Zlatko Dalic’s side lose one and drew two of their three group stage games.
Italy scrape through but expectations are low
The reigning champs are a team in transition as their failure to reach the 2022 World Cup and Roberto Mancini’s decision to move on as manager is making more sense by the minute. Luciano Spalletti is still doing a fine job but he has plenty of inexperienced youngsters in this squad and if it wasn’t for Donnarumma they would have conceded a lot more than three goals in the group stage. Italy looked disjointed, labored and one-paced. This late draw against Croatia may have provided them with the wake up call they needed. But expectations are low in Italy and it seems like Spalletti is also of that opinion. He set his team up to play in a 3-5-2 and get the draw they needed against Croatia rather than going for the win. He made so many changes throughout the game to try and find a spark in attack. Eventually he got one through Zaccagni’s fine finish. The scenes at the final whistle were more of relief than joy from Italy and if they’re going to defend their title they’ll have to be a lot better in attack and find some way to control the game in midfield. Nothing we’ve seen from them so far in this tournament suggests that is coming but Italy, once again, found a way to get it done. They now come up against a robust Switzerland in the last 16 and even though they will be the favorites, it will not be a blowout and you could easily see that game going to penalty kicks. If Italy are going to win back-to-back titles they will do it the hard way by digging in defensively and relying on the brilliance of Donnarumma at one end and one of their talented individuals delivering a moment of magic at the other. That is the only way this squad assembled by Spalletti will be able to do it.
Croatia vs Italy player ratings
Via our friends at FotMob.com, you can see Croatia dominated midfield as Modric and Brozovic were excellent. But Italy’s captain and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was exceptional as he saved a spot kick, made a brilliant couple of saves and did his best to keep his side in it as eventually they found the equalizer they needed.
What’s next?
Italy face Switzerland in the last 16 in Berlin on Saturday, June 29. Croatia now face an anxious wait to see if they will be one of the best third-place teams to reach the last 16 but it is looking very unlikely, as they need England to hammer Slovenia by at least three goals.
How to watch Croatia vs Italy, stream link and start time
Kick off: Monday (June 24), 3 pm ET
Stadium: Red Bull Arena, Leipzig
How to watch on TV in USA: Fox Sports
Croatia vs Italy final score: 1-1
Modric 55'; Zaccagni 98'
Croatia vs Italy live updates! - By Joe Prince-Wright
Italy score with the final attack of the game as Zaccagni scores a screamer to seal a draw - Croatia 1-1 Italy (98th minute)
Oh my word. Italy have equalized in the 98th minute with the last attack of the game. That sends them through and Croatia will surely be heading out. What a finish from Zaccagni. Another day of incredible drama at EURO 2024. Italy draw and go through to the last 16. Croatia crumble to the floor and are surely heading out.
🤯 Zaccagni with a stunner in the 98th minute to put Italy through to the last 16. Croatia surely heading out in such a cruel way. #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/V9gukR0ipS
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) June 24, 2024
Eight minutes of stoppage time
This is going to feel like an age for Croatia. They are looking pretty comfortable but one goal changes everything.
Huge chance for Italy
Chiesa fizzes over a cross and Scamacca looks certain to score but he is under pressure and can’t tap home.
Bastoni with a great bit of defending
Croatia have recovered well and a cross from Brozovic almost finds Budimir but Bastoni flicks the ball just past him with his head.
Italy piling on the pressure now
Cross after cross is coming in from Italy and Livakovic clears under pressure as a loose ball almost drops Italy’s way. Croatia dropping deeper and deeper.
Bastoni heads off target again
Another great chance for Bastoni as a corner is whipped in but he heads off target. He could have had two goals tonight.
Modric slams home at the back post! What drama! - Croatia 1-0 Italy (55th minute)
Unreal drama! Moments after Modric’s penalty kick was saved superbly by Donnarumma, the cross comes in and Donnarumma saves superbly again but Modric is on hand to tuck the ball home on the rebound. What a moment! Modric, 38 years young, delivers for Croatia once again. He is the oldest goalscorer in European Championship history. As it stands, Croatia are going through to the last 16 as runners up in Group B and Italy will have to wait to find out if they’re one of the best third-place teams.
🤯 Luka Modric delivers for Croatia once again! What a moment. Moments after having his penalty saved, Modric is there to put Croatia ahead.
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) June 24, 2024
As it stands, Croatia going through to the last 16 and Italy may go through as one of the best third-place teams.pic.twitter.com/s4RHRANuWL
Donnarumma saves Modric’s penalty!
Incredible drama as Modric’s penalty kick is saved by Donnarumma who gets down low to his left.
SAVED BY DONNARUMMA 😱 pic.twitter.com/tIDr1JsrbA
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 24, 2024
VAR check and it’s a penalty to Croatia after a handball!
The ball hits the outstretched arm of Frattesi and a penalty is awarded after VAR tells the referee to go to the monitor.
Half time: Croatia 0-0 Italy
A decent first half from Italy who created a couple of big chances but Livakovic denied them. Croatia have yet to going but they’re still in it. Can Croatia kick on in the second half and get the win they need?
Donnarumma saves down low as Croatia are on top
Patient play from Croatia and a dangerous cross is whipped in down low and Donnarumma pushes it away before Italy scramble the ball clear. Much better from Croatia, who have given their huge number of fans something to shout about again.
What a save from Livakovic!
Beautiful cross from Barella to find Bastoni at the back post and he has a free header six yards out... but somehow Livakovic pushes the ball over the top. What a stop in a big moment in a big tournament, once again, from Livakovic.
What a SAVE by Livaković to keep this game scoreless 😱 pic.twitter.com/Nxl2wa9djJ
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 24, 2024
So close to an opener for Italy!
A brilliant cross from the left from Calafiori finds Retegui at the back post and he heads towards goal with the goalkeeper rooted to the spot. But the ball goes wide. A corner is given, so it must have got a touch from the Croatian defender. Still, you’d expect Retegui to bury that. Moments later he has another shot blocked out for a corner. Italy cranking up the pressure now.
Sucic denied by Donnarumma
A fine stop from Italy’s captain as Susic smashes a shot on target which was dipping towards the top corner. Great play from all concerned.
We are underway in Leipzig!
The Croatian fans are in Leipzig in huge numbers. It’s almost like a home game for them. Is this the last dance for Modric and Co.? Or can they dig up one of their fine midfield performances to stun Italy? As for Italy, they have gone for a back five and they look like they’re going sit in and try to hit Croatia on the counter.
Croatia lineup
Livakovic; Stanisic, Sutalo, Pongracic, Gvardiol; Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic; Sucic, Kramaric, Pasalic
Italy lineup
Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Bastoni, Calafiori; Darmian, Barella, Jorginho, Pellegrini, Dimarco; Raspadori, Retegui
Croatia team news, focus
To their credit, Croatia took the game to Albania in the second half (2.42 xG) after waking up from their nightmare showing at halftime (0.26 xG). No player who has appeared at EURO 2024 has any doubt over availability on Monday.
Italy team news, focus
It’s not as though Italy have been world beaters themselves at EURO 2024. They beat Albania 2-1 in their opener, but weren’t exactly convincing, and they were comfortably second-best in a narrow 1-0 defeat to Spain. Croatia are certainly there for the taking, and a dominant display would go a long way towards restoring confidence and belief in the Azzurri camp. Winger Federico Dimarco, who has played 173 of 180 minutes thus far, is an injury doubt after picking up a calf injury against Spain.
Croatia vs Italy prediction
Unless a bit of energy and life is injected into the center of midfield, Croatia will find precious scoring chances against this Italian defense. Croatia 0-1 Italy.