Italy break Croatian hearts at Euros with last-kick equaliser

Leipzig: An 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 as Group B runners-up where they will face Switzerland, while Croatia must wait to see if they progress.

After a scoreless first half, Croatia’s Luka Modric had a penalty saved in the 54th minute but less than a minute 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.

“Immense satisfaction, I’m excited, it’s a beautiful evening,” Zaccagni said after the match.

“It was important to draw to qualify in second place. We did well to stay in the game with a great second half. We deserved this draw. The coach did well to create this group, we will try to repay him on the pitch.”

Spain top the group on nine points, Italy finish with four and Croatia are third on two points and must wait to see if they will progress as one of the best four third-placed finishers.

“It was very stressful, we kept battling until the end,” Modric said. “But football was merciless with us tonight, it was cruel. It is hard when you lose like this to describe how you feel.

“The football gods don’t always smile on you, but we need to bounce back.”