Mattia Zaccagni rescued Italy with a 98th-minute equaliser as the defending champions booked their spot in Euro 2024’s last 16 on Monday with a 1-1 draw in a tense game against Croatia, whose tournament hopes are hanging by a thread.
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, who next face Switzerland, second in Group B on four points, with Croatia third and waiting 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.
“We deserved to go through tonight in terms of what we produced out there,” Italy coach Luciano Spalletti said. “It was hard to make it through this group. Spain are brilliant, Croatia are excellent.”
Spain, who topped the standings, beat Albania 1-0 to finish with a perfect record from their three games and leave the eliminated Albanians rock bottom with one point.
Albania’s loss also propelled sides not in action into the last 16 with England, France and the Netherlands now guaranteed to finish at least among the four best third-placed teams.
Italy had been rocked with defeat by Spain, which could have been more emphatic than the 1-0 scoreline, yet if there was some solace for Spalletti’s side heading into Monday’s match it was that Croatia had been even less impressive at the finals.
