In a thrilling Euro 2024 encounter, 38-year-old Luka Modric almost secured Croatia’s place in the knockout stages with a late goal. However, Italy’s Mattia Zaccagni netted an equalizer in the 98th minute, resulting in a dramatic draw. This outcome set up a last-16 tie with Switzerland for Italy, who finished second in Group B. Meanwhile, Croatia’s path to the knockout stages is now precarious, relying on multiple other results to go their way.
Report
Croatia dominated possession in the early stages of their Euro 2024 clash with Italy, highlighted by a thunderous 25-meter strike from Luka Sučić that seemed destined for the top corner before Gianluigi Donnarumma’s spectacular save. Despite the early pressure, Italy adapted to their new 3-5-2 formation and grew into the game. They nearly took the lead when Riccardo Calafiori’s cross was headed just wide by Mateo Retegui.
Italy’s threats continued, with Nicolò Barella’s cross finding Alessandro Bastoni, whose powerful header was met by a stunning reflex save from Dominik Livaković. The Croatian goalkeeper was again called into action to deny Lorenzo Pellegrini, as the Vatreni defense, which had conceded five goals in their first two matches, struggled to cope with Italy’s attacks.
Croatia’s coach, Zlatko Dalić, had pointed out the team’s defensive vulnerabilities before the match, but it was their lack of offensive impact that led him to bring on Ante Budimir at half-time. The change had an immediate effect: Davide Frattesi, another half-time substitute, handled Andrej Kramarić’s goal-bound shot, resulting in a penalty for Croatia. However, Donnarumma heroically saved Luka Modrić’s spot kick.
Living up to Croatia’s slogan, “Best when it’s toughest,” Modrić quickly redeemed himself by scoring from a rebound just a minute later, after Donnarumma had parried Budimir’s initial effort. Croatia’s defense seemed poised to secure the victory until the final moments of the game. In the dying seconds, Mattia Zaccagni curled a strike past Livaković from a Calafiori pass, earning Italy a dramatic draw and a round of 16 tie with Switzerland.
Croatia, meanwhile, are left hoping for favorable results to secure a best third-place berth to advance in the tournament.
Analysis
With Spain and Italy in their group, Luka Modric’s fifth European Championship and ninth major tournament with Croatia always carried the risk of a disappointing end. The manner of their dramatic draw with Italy, however, was particularly cruel for the 38-year-old veteran.
Modric had become the oldest scorer in European Championship history when he redeemed himself after a missed penalty with a close-range finish. As he was applauded off late in the game, it seemed he had once again delivered for Croatia. The maestro of Croatia’s play had produced a pivotal moment, rekindling hopes of a deep tournament run. Yet, those dreams were shattered when Italy equalized with virtually the last kick of the match.
From the sidelines, Modric could only watch helplessly. Croatia’s chances now hinge on other results, and a significant win for England over Slovenia seems unlikely given Gareth Southgate’s team’s performances so far.
For Modric, who turns 39 in September, another major tournament appears to be a step too far, even though he plans to continue playing for Real Madrid next season. He remained noncommittal about his international future after the game, but this match might mark the end of his illustrious international career.
Player of the Match: Luka Modric (Croatia)
Luka Modric delivered a standout performance in the second half, demonstrating his resilience by overcoming the disappointment of a missed penalty. His determined play culminated in a goal that seemed poised to secure a victory for Croatia until Italy’s last-minute equalizer. Despite the dramatic turn of events, Modric’s exceptional display earned him the Player of the Match accolade.
PLAYER RATINGS
ITALY: Donnarumma 8, Darmian 6, Bastoni 6, Calafiori 7, Di Lorenzo 6, Barella 7, Jorginho 6, Pellegrini 7, Dimarco 6, Raspadori 6, Retegui 6. Subs: Frattesi 6, Chiesa 6, Scamacca 6, Zaccagni n/a, Fagioli n/a.
CROATIA: Livakovic 8, Stanisic 7, Pongracic 7, Gvardiol 8, Sutalo 7, Kovacic 7, Modric 8*, Brozovic 7, Pasalic 7, Kramaric 6, Sucic 7. Subs: Budimir 8, Ivanusec 7, Perisic 7, Majer n/a, Juranovic n/a.
Reaction
Luciano Spalletti, Italy Coach: “When games are decided like this, in the end everything becomes more exciting. No one believed it anymore, but the players risked little and kept their heads clear. We have to congratulate them on how they reacted. In the first half, we were sub-par. If we do so little, we accomplish little. A behavior where you think about the result without believing you can win it. I expect more from my players. You have to find that balance.”
Zlatko Dalić, Croatia Coach: “Last minute [against] Albania, last minute today. I can only congratulate the guys on the fight, the willingness, the sacrifice they showed. But here it is, it’s not our tournament. [At the finals] we’ve missed two penalties and conceded two goals in injury time, that’s what it is. We had the situation in our hands. Thank you to the people who cheered us on, I’m sorry for them. I’m mostly disappointed because of that.”
Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Italy Defender: “It was a tough game, but the important thing was to get through the group, a difficult group. But we’re happy, it’s nice to draw and go through in the last minute. Maybe against Spain we gave this sense of fragility that a great team like ours shouldn’t have. We definitely need to grow, even if the time to do so is not enough in these tournaments. In terms of play we can do better, but in terms of attitude, we can’t say anything. It’s a point from which we have to start again.”
Luka Modrić, Croatia Midfielder: “I don’t know what to tell you, football is cruel sometimes. That was the case again here, but well, what is there is there. We didn’t deserve [to concede] this goal. We didn’t doubt the fans, we knew they were always with us. We’re sorry that [we didn’t get] that victory to go to the next round.”
Key stats
- Modrić became the oldest scorer in EURO finals history, at 38 years and 289 days.
- Croatia and Italy’s last four meetings have all finished 1-1.
- The Vatreni are unbeaten in the last nine matches between these nations (W3 D6).
- This was only the second time Croatia completed a EURO final tournament group without a win, after EURO 2004.
- Italy have now qualified for the knockout rounds in each of the last five EUROs. The last time they failed to make it out of the group stage was in 2004.
- The Azzurri have never lost two successive EURO final tournament matches. They have not lost back-to-back major final tournament games since the 2014 FIFA World Cup, when they were beaten by Costa Rica and Uruguay.
- Donnarumma became the youngest Italian player to reach ten EURO finals appearances, aged 25 years and 120 days. Federico Chiesa became the second youngest at 26 years and 243 days. The previous record was set by Leonardo Bonucci (29 years and 57 days at EURO 2016). Donnarumma also became the youngest goalkeeper to hit this milestone in EURO history.
- Dalić took charge of Croatia for the eighth time in a EURO final tournament match, equalling the record of Slaven Bilić.
- This was Croatia’s fifth EURO meeting with the reigning EURO champions, with each game coming in the group stages. They beat Denmark 3-0 in 1996, drew 2-2 with France in 2004, lost 1-0 against Spain in 2012 then beat La Roja 2-1 in 2016.