Mattia Zaccagni’s brilliant last-minute strike fired Italy into the Euro 2024 knock-outs with a 1-1 draw against Croatia in a fraught Group B clash on Monday.
Italy advance as runners behind champions Spain and will play Switzerland in the last 16, but Croatia are staring at elimination yet might yet progress, depending on other results later this week.
Level on two points, Dalic’s team are unlikely to advance as one of the four best third-placed finishers, but it’s not impossible.
Croatia midfielder Luka Modric became the oldest goalscorer in the competition’s history with his strike after 55 minutes, just 33 seconds after Gianluigi Donnarumma saved the 38-year-old’s penalty.
It seemed enough for his team but Zaccagni whipped a brilliant strike into the top corner on the break in the 98th minute to send Italy through from what was dubbed a “group of death”.
After shipping five goals in the first two games, Dalic opted to shore up the midfield by bringing in Mario Pasalic and Luka Sucic amidst four changes.
The coach also kept the established trio of Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic, and Mateo Kovacic despite their struggles in the 3-0 defeat by Spain and 2-2 draw to minnows Albania.
Luciano Spalletti’s side beat Albania 2-1 but were then outclassed by Spain in a 1-0 defeat in a game where the coach, as he did here, changed to 3-5-2 and benched Juventus’ Federico Chiesa.
Second place behind group winners Spain was the best Croatia could achieve and they dominated the opening exchanges against a defensive Italy setup who knew a draw would send them through.
On his first start at the tournament 21-year-old RB Salzburg midfielder Sucic forced a fine early save from Italy’s Gianluigi Donnarumma with a vicious drive from range.
Azzurri forward Mateo Retegui’s header was deflected narrowly wide at the other end on a rare forray forward, with the two-time winners happy to slow the game down and waste time at corners and throw-ins as early as the 20th minute.
Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic came up with a wonderful save to deny Alessandro Bastoni, who had been picked out by a promising Nicolo Barella cross, as the holders took charge without threatening to overcommit.
Dalic, who guided Croatia to the 2018 and 2022 World Cup final and semis respectively, introduced burly striker Ante Budimir for the second half.
It gave his side with a reference point and they immediately posed threats, making gains not long after.
Italy substitute Davide Frattesi handled Andrej Kramaric’s effort and after a VAR review Croatia were given a penalty.
Donnarumma clawed out Real Madrid midfielder Modric’s effort but the veteran could not be denied 33 seconds later.
The Italian goalkeeper made another fine save in the aftermath from Budimir but Croatia kept the pressure up and Modric smashed home the rebound from close range.
The 37-year-old broke the previous record for oldest Euros goalscorer set in 2008 by Austrian Ivica Vastic by 32 days.
Modric was replaced with 10 minutes to go and even some Italy supporters afforded the playmaker an ovation, while they nervously eyed the ever-advancing clock.
Croatia thought they had progressed but Zaccagni broke their hearts in the eighth and final minute of stoppage time.