A dramatic added-time objective from Italy’s Mattia Zaccagni snatched a 1-1 draw with Croatia which was sufficient to earn them a spot within the final 16 of Euro 2024 and certain sends Croatia dwelling.
After a goalless first half, Croatia’s Luka Modric had a penalty saved within the 54th minute however simply 60 seconds later he smashed dwelling a rebound after Gianluigi Donnarumma pulled off one other superb save from Ante Budimir.
The objective introduced defending champions Italy to life, they usually pressed for the equaliser which might take them by and, with time working out, Zaccagni curled dwelling a shot from distance to interrupt Croatian hearts.
It meant Italy end as Group B runners-up and can face Switzerland within the final 16, whereas Croatia are third on two factors and should wait to see if they may progress as probably the greatest 4 third-placed finishers, though it’s now unlikely.
Relive all of the drama beneath:
Italy escape after serving up tactical lesson and a reminder – to Euro 2024 hopefuls and themselves
And so Italy turned the primary group to go the place no different nation among the many favourites at Euro 2024 have bothered, or dared, or thought worthwhile, to date.
No, to not go all-out-attack and wipe the ground with an opponent – Germany did that on the opening evening. To not drop a giant title, both, or to depart out a number one goalscorer.
As an alternative, Luciano Spalletti ensured the Azzurri have been the primary of the large weapons to aim to point out their tactical proficiency in a couple of distinct form, altering their set-up from a again 4 and huge forwards within the opening two fixtures to line up 3-5-2 towards Croatia of their decisive Group B encounter.
Towards Spain specifically, their huge gamers had didn’t have any type of influence and Federico Chiesa was a kind of to pay the worth, making means as Spalletti’s alterations noticed a roving two-man strikeforce come into play, Gianluca Scamacca additionally pulled into bench responsibility, key man from the qualifying marketing campaign Giacomo Raspadori changing him and Matteo Darmian beginning as a 3rd central defender.
It lasted an hour, earlier than panic mode set in.
Chris Wilson24 June 2024 22:35
What do Italy, Croatia and Albania want? Euro 2024 group permutations and third-place standings defined
Spain: After beating Italy 1-0, Spain have been already by as group winners. Spain completed with most factors after beating Albania and can play one of many 4 greatest third-placed groups in Cologne on Sunday 30 June at 8pm.
Italy: On a dramatic evening in Leipzig, the holders denied Croatia with a last-minute equaliser to advance to the last-16. They may face Switzerland.
Croatia: Luka Modric and firm seemed to be doing it once more, till Mattia Zaccagni’s last-gasp objective knocked them out. Croatia wanted to win however went from being within the last-16 to going dwelling. Two factors is unlikely to be sufficient to undergo in third, however it might be attainable if ends in different teams go their means.
Albania: Albania needed to beat Spain to have any likelihood of going by and are out following a 1-0 defeat.
Chris Wilson24 June 2024 22:55
Italy move their take a look at of nerve however Croatia left to rue late objectives – and subbing Luka Modric
As an alternative, nearly definitely, Croatia will probably be forged out of Euro 2024. The group who can excel over 120 minutes and penalties missed a penalty and went out to a 98th-minute objective. When it was shaping up because the evening of an all-time nice, in Luka Modric, he was as a substitute upstaged by a newcomer to such events.
When Mattia Zaccagni got here off the bench, the 29-year-old ahead had by no means scored for Italy. When he did, it was magnificent, the Lazio winger curling a shot round Dominik Livakovic.
Chris Wilson24 June 2024 22:50
Younger fan evades stewards after invading the pitch throughout Albania vs Spain
Stewards have been deployed to the pitch throughout Albania vs Spain after a younger fan bypassed safety and began working, briefly halting the tie.
The teen took to the turf in Dusseldorf on the ninetieth minute of the Euro 2024 group-stage conflict.
He turned to the Albania bench after being chased by a number of brightly colored safety element, earlier than being apprehended and escorted off.
The sport completed 1-0 to the skin favourites, regardless of 10 modifications being comprised of Spain’s earlier fixture.
Spain superior to the knockout phases after ending prime of the group.
Younger fan evades stewards after invading the pitch throughout Albania vs Spain
Stewards have been deployed to the pitch throughout Albania vs Spain after a younger fan bypassed safety and began working, briefly halting the tie. The teen took to the turf in Dusseldorf on the ninetieth minute of the Euro 2024 group-stage conflict. He turned to the Albania bench after being chased by a number of brightly colored safety element, earlier than being apprehended and escorted off. The sport completed 1-0 to the skin favourites, regardless of 10 modifications being comprised of Spain’s earlier fixture. Spain superior to the knockout phases after ending prime of the group.
Chris Wilson24 June 2024 22:45
How Albania left a singular mark on Euro 2024, even with an early exit
It’s a honest stroll from Dusseldorf Hauptbahnhof to the Merkur Spiel-Enviornment. It clocks in at round 90 minutes, sometimes, though it feels for much longer in 27 levels of warmth, with the spring solar glancing off the floor of the Rhine and slow-roasting your cheeks. Nonetheless, the lengthy, straight, riverside route is scenic, and on Monday night the blue of the Rhine was balanced out by the streams of crimson on its financial institution, as swathes of Albanians and Spaniards made their ultimate pre-game trek of the group stage.
For the Albanians, it will be their final at Euro 2024, full cease. Not that they noticed that as an inevitability earlier than kick-off.
They outnumbered the Spanish supporters convincingly on this explicit path, they usually have been in jubilant voices and seemingly assured spirits. Close to the beginning of the route, at a junction by Oberkasseler bridge, the followers who had opted towards strolling to the stadium have been both driving or hanging out of automobiles – the latter group sang and waved flags; the previous blared their horns, having tied the nationwide crest to their bonnets.
Chris Wilson24 June 2024 22:40
Spain’s second XI show they’re higher than most first groups at Euro 2024 however one key flaw stays
If this was very a lot the evening’s second match, these watching Italy-Croatia might have missed the prospect to see the fifth-best group a Euro 2024. That simply occurs to be Spain soccer’s second group, who saved enjoying with a fluidity past just about everybody else on the match.
That they had lots of the similar qualities as the primary group, if additionally the identical flaws within the ending. That didn’t matter right here, as they beat Albania soccer 1-0 to make it a excellent three wins from three within the group stage. They may now certainly look to turn into the primary European champions to win all their video games, one thing nobody has but finished, even within the 16-team period. That’s what Spain ought to be aiming for.
This isn’t to decrease Albania, who did finally up it on the finish as they knew they’d an opportunity to remain on this competitors however they couldn’t get shut sufficient. They sank to their knees in disappointment on the finish, however there was in all probability appreciable exhaustion from chasing passes in that too.
Chris Wilson24 June 2024 22:25
FT: Croatia 1-1 Italy – Italy are by to the final 16!
Right here’s that Zaccagni objective in actual time. What an outstanding end!
Chris Wilson24 June 2024 22:20
Subsequent video games
So Spain and Italy advance from Group B for sure. Croatia face a nervous wait to see in the event that they’ll be within the subsequent spherical.
Italy will face Switzerland in Berlin on Saturday, 29 June at 5pm BST.
Spain don’t but know their opponents, however they know they are going to be enjoying on 30 June at 8pm BST in Cologne. They may play the third-placed group from one in every of Group A, D, E or F.
Chris Wilson24 June 2024 22:15
Group B standings
So, that is how Group B takes care of the ultimate spherical of video games.
1 (Q) – Spain – 9 factors, GD +5
2 (Q) – Italy – 4 factors, GD +1
3 – Croatia – 2 factors, GD -3
4 – Albania – 0 factors, GD -2
Chris Wilson24 June 2024 22:10
FULL-TIME! Croatia 1-1 Italy
Unbelievable emotion on the finish there. The distinction between the Italian and Croatian gamers.
Chris Wilson24 June 2024 22:02