Italy substitute Mattia Zaccagni stunned Luke Modric's Croatia with a last-minute stoppage time goal to book his side's spot in round of 16 at European Championship 2024. Modric's second-half-strike went in vain as Croatia are on the brink of elimination having finished group stage with two draws and a loss.
Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic was disappointed with referee for adding as many as eight minutes of stoppage time.
“You can't have eight minutes of added time after that game, it's nonsense,” Dalic said. “There weren't so many breaks in play, or so many fouls to justify that. I don't want to cause a fuss but I think Croatia needs to be acknowledged and respected. We played for almost three hours.”
Italy finished second in Group A and booked their spot in round of 16. They will face Switzerland in the knockout game on June 29 in Berlin's Olympiastadion.
“We were a bit soft at times in the game, we didn't produce our best football,” Italy coach Luciano Spalletti said. “When you can afford to draw the game, that's how it goes, you know a draw is enough, you are a bit more timid.”
Modric creates history
Earlier, Modric got the lead for Croatia in the 55th minute. He became the oldest goal-scorer in Euro Championship at 38 years and 289 days. He broke the record that belonged to Austria's Ivica Vastic. Aged 38 years and 257 days, Vastic scored against Poland at Euro 2008.
Before getting Croatia ahead, Modric's shot from the spot was denied by goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. He scored 33 seconds later off rebound after Donnarumma saved Ante Budimir's shot.
Spain make 10 changes in starting linup but dominate Albania
Spain made wholesale changes to their starting lineup. As many as 10 players were changed as Spain played their last Group B clash against Albania. Ferran Torres netted one past goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha in the 13th minute.
“Every player is ready to play in this first 11 and that's key. Anyone can decide a game for you and players coming off the bench are very important as well,” Torres, who scored off a deflection off the post from Dani Almo’s pass, said through a translator. “I will try to make things difficult for my coach so that he will have to play me.”
Spain maintained their clean sheet. This is the first time Spain won all three of their group games at Euros since 2008.
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