Mattia Zaccagni broke Croatian hearts with a 98th-minute equaliser to send Italy into the Euro 2024 last 16 and put their opponents on the brink of elimination.
Luka Modric’s dramatic opener seemed set to send Croatia into the knockouts but instead, it will be Italy who take on Switzerland in Berlin on Saturday after securing second place in Group B behind Spain in sensational scenes in Leipzig.
With just two points, Croatia now need England to beat Slovenia by at least three goals on Tuesday if they are to progress as one of the best third-placed sides.
Italy were desperate. Gianluigi Donnarumma had saved Modric’s second-half spot-kick after Davide Frattesi was penalised for handball after a VAR check but the 38-year-old magician converted from close range just moments later before celebrating emotionally with his team-mates.
When Modric was subbed off with 10 minutes of normal time remaining he was given a standing ovation by the Croatia supporters. It looked like his latest magic moment would send Croatia once more into a major tournament knockout adventure.
But after Alessandro Bastoni wasted another big, headed chance to go with his effort which was brilliantly saved by Dominik Livakovic early on and Gianluca Scamacca failed to turn in Federico Chiesa’s low cross, sub Zaccagni came up with his first international goal to transform the narrative.
Riccardo Calafiori burst forward and then fed Lazio’s Zaccagni in the left channel. His curled, right-footed finish was exquisite, bending inside the far post. A moment of beauty – but a brutal blow for Croatia.
