Italy catches a draw in the last minute against Croatia, on the last day of the Euro 2024 group stage, and flies to the round of 1. In Leipzig it ends 1 to XNUMX, thanks to a goal by Weather in Zaccagni in the last seconds of injury time, which rejoins the goal Modric.
First half, great opportunity for Bastoni
As already announced, news in the blue ranks. Scamacca and Chiesa from the bench, Retegui and Raspadori on the pitch from the first minute. First minutes of the Croatian brand. Just two minutes of play and Sucic he unleashes a shot from almost 30 metres, which is thwarted for a corner by Donnarumma. Lots of ball possession for Croatia, but Italy gradually wakes up. Retegui heads Calafiori's cross into the corner. But in the 27th minute themost delicious opportunity of the first half is all blue: Barella crosses softly at the edge of the area for the head of Sticks and Livakovic is called to the big save. Italy and Croatia alternate in dribbling and possession, but are unable to make an impact. Pellegrini and Modric, with an opportunity each from a tight position, try to barely worry the opposing goalkeepers. But the first half ended goalless.
Second half, first Modric then Zaccagni equalizer: Italy through to the round of 16
At the beginning of the second half Frattesi comes onto the pitch in place of Pellegrini. But for the Croatians here was the opportunity that changed the match. Kramaric crosses into the area and Frattesi's wide arm is judged to be a handball by the referee Makkelie: penalty. From the spot, however, in the 54th minute, Modric he gets blocked by Donnarumma, exceptional at deflecting an angled low shot. But a minute later the Croatians took the lead. Cross into the area, Donnarumma extraordinary on Budimir, but can do nothing on the rebound Modric. Italy tries to increase the rotation, Bastoni heads a good ball high for the equalizer. Spalletti goes all out, with Chiesa and Scamacca on the pitch to try to give more emphasis to the attack. There is also room for Fagioli's debut in place of Jorginho. With four minutes to go, a nice change of play for Italy, with Chiesa initially putting it in the middle but the ball goes just wide. In the last seconds of the 8 minutes of injury time, however, here was the unexpected goal: a great run by Calafiori who fed Zaccagni on the left, having replaced Darmian in the second half, who equalized at the last gasp.
It ends 1-1 between Croatia and Italy. The Azzurri, in second place, move on to the round of 29, where they will meet Switzerland next Saturday XNUMX June. For the Croatians, in third place with two points, the hope of a repechage among the four best third-placed teams.
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