Italy substitute Mattia Zaccagni scored in the last minute of stoppage time for Italy to advance to the knockout stage of Euro 2024 after drawing with Croatia, 1-1, on Monday in Leipzig, Germany.
Luka Modric’s second-half strike looked like it would send Croatia through as the Group B runner-up, but Zaccagni swept a brilliant shot inside the far post in the eighth minute of added time to cap a furious finale from the defending champions.
Italy needed a point to progress, while Croatia realistically needed a win to stay in the tournament. The Croatians have two points from their three games and were at the mercy of other results to see if it’s enough to scrape through as one of the best third-place finishers.
Italy will next face Switzerland in the Round of 16 on Saturday in Berlin’s Olympiastadion, where the final will be played on July 14.
Modric scored 33 seconds after having a penalty saved by Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to become the oldest goal-scorer ever at the tournament.
Modric, at 38 years, 289 days on Monday, broke the record held by Ivica Vastic, who was 38 years, 257 days, when he scored for Austria against Poland at Euro 2008.
After Modric’s penalty miss, Croatia immediately attacked again and Donnarumma had to save a shot by Ante Budimir. Modric pounced on the rebound in the 55th minute.
The goal sent showers of beer into the sky as ecstatic Croatian fans jettisoned the cups they were holding in the celebrations.
Alessandro Bastoni headed just over in response as the Italians suddenly found themselves in need of a goal. Defeat could have seen the defending champion knocked out depending on results in other games.
Modric turned his skills to defense until he went off to standing ovations in the 80th.
But Italy maintained its pressure and it finally paid off at the last possible moment with Zaccagni’s curling shot.
SPAIN 1, ALBANIA 0
Spain changed almost its entire lineup and still kept up its victorious start to the European Championship with a 1-0 win over Albania, which was eliminated in Duesseldorf, Germany.
With his team already assured of winning Group B, Coach Luis de la Fuente changed 10 of his starters and Spain won all three group games at a Euros for the first time since 2008, when it went on to win the tournament.
A 13th-minute goal from Ferran Torres and goalkeeper David Raya’s stoppage-time save from Armando Broja ensured Spain completed the group stage without conceding a goal.
Italy was the second qualifier from Group B after drawing with Croatia, 1-1.
Albania needed at least a draw to have any hope of qualifying for the knockout stages for the first time, even as one of the best third-place teams. The loss meant it placed last.
Albania’s failure to beat Spain meant England, France and the Netherlands were all assured of qualifying for the knockout stages, regardless of what happens in their last group games.
All of those teams are on four points from two games and would qualify at least as one of the best third-place teams.
Spain got the job done, but this 1-0 win was far less convincing than the victory by the same margin over Italy in its last game. Defender Aymeric Laporte was the only player to start both.
For much of the first half, Spain seemed on course for a big win, but Dani Olmo and Mikel Merino in particular missed good chances. Albania didn’t record a shot until the 45th minute.
Albania finally started to put pressure on Spain midway through the second half. Forward Broja came off the bench and forced a good save from Raya.
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De la Fuente responded by sending on forwards Alvaro Morata and Lamine Yamal off the bench as Spain started to waste time where possible. Broja tested Raya again in stoppage time as Spain held on.
Albania was roared on in Duesseldorf by a mostly Albanian crowd keen to see what could have been one of the all-time upsets at the Euros. However, Albania was without forward Mirlind Daku, who was suspended by UEFA on Sunday after joining supporters’ nationalist chants with a megaphone following the 2-2 draw with Croatia on Wednesday.
Albania’s soccer federation was fined over incidents at both of its first two games. It looks set to face yet more charges after fans lit flares at the Spain game and a supporter ran onto the field.
De la Fuente’s changes kept right back Dani Carvajal and center back Robin le Normand – both one yellow card away from a ban – safe for the round of 16. Midfielder Rodri served a one-game suspension for two earlier bookings.
Spain will play its last-16 game on Sunday in Cologne against one of the third-place teams.