Luka Modric’s history-making objective for Croatia proved fruitless as Mattia Zaccagni’s last-gasp screamer despatched Italy via into the final 16 of Euro 2024 after a 1-1 draw.
Modric turned the oldest participant to attain on the Euros when he slammed in from shut vary within the fifty fifth minute – simply 33 seconds after lacking a penalty – and Croatia appeared all set to progress in second place from Group B, however Italy substitute Zaccagni had different concepts.
With a luxurious side-footed end deep into the ultimate throngs of stoppage time, Zaccagni claimed a degree for the Azzurri, making certain the holders will face Switzerland within the spherical of 16 on Saturday.
Croatia, however, with simply two factors from their three matches, appear destined to overlook out on probably the greatest third-placed finishes.
Zlatko Dalic’s crew accomplished 329 passes within the first half – solely towards Scotland in June 2021 (337) have they accomplished extra passes in a half on the Euros – however bar Luka Sucic’s fizzing effort, they hardly examined Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Certainly, Dominik Livakovic was the busier of the 2 goalkeepers, and he needed to be at his greatest to disclaim Alessandro Bastoni an opener.
But, the tempo swiftly picked up in a frantic couple of minutes after the break, when Italy substitute Davide Frattesi was penalised for handball following a VAR evaluate.
After seeing his penalty saved by Donnarumma, Modric stayed alive to lash dwelling on the rebound when a cross was labored again into the realm, with Italy’s goalkeeper having excellently denied Ante Budimir.
Bastoni ought to have restored parity simply after the hour, just for the defender to go over after assembly a nook unmarked.
Gianluca Scamacca failed to satisfy Federico Chiesa’s teasing cross as Croatia appeared all set to go via, however there was to be one final twist.
Having come on within the 81st minute, Zaccagni confirmed nice composure to provide a chunk of magic and ship the holders via.
38 – On the age of 38 years and 289 days, Luka Modric is the oldest participant to ever rating on the UEFA European Championship finals. Timeless. #EURo2024 pic.twitter.com/ESECX0gDAk
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 24, 2024
A fond farewell?
That may nicely be it for Modric, not simply on the European Championship however at main tournaments as an entire. If it’s the approach he goes out, after his sixteenth look on the Euros, then he has executed himself proud.
At 38, he made historical past, etching his title into the Euros report books.
By the point he left the pitch within the eightieth minute, Modric had performed a team-leading 23 passes into the ultimate third and received possession on six events, one other team-high.
He appeared distraught on the finish, and at 38, certainly that’s the finish for him on the European Championships, and possibly even main event soccer?
Donnarumma pulls via
Donnarumma was the star of the present for Italy at Wembley three years in the past, along with his saves within the shootout win over England.
The three seasons which have adopted haven’t been the very best for the previous Milan goalkeeper, who has made some high-profile errors for Paris Saint-Germain.
But, he was on glorious type in Leipzig, making that distinctive penalty save after which an much more spectacular cease to thwart Budimir, solely to see Modric decide up the items when no defender reacted.
Having develop into the youngest goalkeeper to play 10 matches on the Euros within the historical past of the competitors (aged 25 years and 120 days), Donnarumma didn’t should be on the shedding facet, and Zaccagni’s second of brilliance ensured that was to not be the case.
