Euro 2024: Zaccagni's stoppage-time stunner against Croatia sends Italy through to last 16
The HinduLuka Modric’s 55th minute seemed to send Croatia into the next round but Mattia Zaccagni’s late equaliser ensured defending champions Italy will play Switzerland in the round of 16 Mattia Zaccagni curled home a 98th minute equaliser as defending champions Italy booked a last-16 spot at Euro 2024 on Monday with a 1-1 draw against Croatia, whose tournament hopes were left hanging by a thread, and will next face Switzerland. Luka Modric gave Croatia a 55th-minute lead, moments after missing a penalty, and that looked like sending them through before late substitute Zaccagni bent a stunning finish past the despairing dive of Dominik Livakovic into the far corner. The result left Italy second in Group B on four points, with Croatia third but now playing an anxious waiting game to see whether two points will be enough to take them through to the knockout stage as one of the best four third-placed sides. Italy looked far more purposeful with Mateo Retegui's having a couple of half chances before Alessandro Bastoni had the best opportunity of the first half, meeting Nicolo Barella's lofted ball to the far post with a header saved by Dominik Livakovic.