Last-gasp equaliser from Mattia Zaccagni saw Italy secure a 1-1 draw against Croatia to progress to the last 16 of the Euro 2024.

While Croatia is on the verge of elimination but may yet advance if other results go their way later in the week, Italy advances in second place behind winners Spain and will play Switzerland in the round of 16.

Zlatko Dalic’s club is unlikely to finish among the top four third-place teams with just two points, but it is yet feasible.

Just 33 seconds after Gianluigi Donnarumma saved the 38-year-old’s penalty, Croatian midfielder Luka Modric scored his goal after 55 minutes, making him the oldest goalscorer in the competition’s history.

Though Croatia appeared to have everything under control, Italy emerged victorious from the so-called “group of death” in the 98th minute thanks to a spectacular shot by Zaccagni into the top corner on the break.

“It’s very stressful, we kept battling right until the end but unfortunately football was mercilessly with us tonight, it was cruel,” Modric told reporters.

“That’s part and parcel of football, often it gives you plenty of smiles but on other occasions it makes you very sad, like it did today.

“The footballing gods don’t always smile on us but we should be proud for the way we’ve represented our country tonight.”

Italy’s head coach, Luciano Spalletti, stated that his group deserved to advance.

“This is football, we believe until the end,” said Spalletti.

“We deservedly got through… maybe we are satisfied with the result, but we need to do more.”

Dalic decided to strengthen the midfield after conceding five goals in the opening two games, starting Mario Pasalic and Luka Sucic among four changes.

In addition, the coach kept the three of Mateo Kovacic, Marcelo Brozovic, and Luka Modric, even though they had trouble in the 2-2 draw against lowly Albania and the 3-0 loss to Spain.

After losing 1-0 to Spain, Spalletti’s Italy defeated Albania 2-1 and switched to a 3-5-2 style, benching Federico Chiesa of Juventus.

Croatia controlled the first few plays against a resolute Italy team, aware that a draw would advance them to the next round, where they would finish behind group winners Spain.

21-year-old RB Salzburg midfielder Sucic forced Italy’s Gianluigi Donnarumma into a superb early save with a powerful strike from range during his maiden appearance of the competition.

On a rare foray forward, Azzurri forward Mateo Retegui’s header was nearly missed at the other end. The two-time winners were content to slow down play and squander time at throw-ins and corners as early as the 20th minute.

The holders took control without taking any chances as Croatian custodian Dominik Livakovic produced a spectacular stop to deny Alessandro Bastoni, who was found by Nicolo Barella’s inviting cross.

For the second half, Dalic, who led Croatia to the World Cup semifinals in 2022 and the championship game in 2018, substituted the strong striker Ante Budimir.

His team had a focal point, which made them appear more menacing right away. They also quickly realised their reward.

After Andrej Kramaric’s strike was handled by Italy replacement Davide Frattesi, a VAR review awarded Croatia a penalty.

33 seconds after Donnarumma parried Real Madrid midfielder Modric’s effort, the seasoned player was unstoppable.

After that, with Croatia applying more pressure, the Italian custodian produced another excellent stop from Budimir, and Modric finished strong from close range to score the rebound.

He broke Austrian Ivica Vastic’s 2008 record for the oldest goalscorer in the European Championship by thirty-two days.

With ten minutes remaining, Modric was substituted, and a few Italian fans even gave the playmaker a standing ovation as they anxiously watched the ticking clock.

Croatia believed they had made headway, but in the eighth and last minute of stoppage time, Zaccagni crushed their hearts.

Though the 29-year-old Lazio winger’s curling goal felt like a victory for the section of the stadium decorated in Azzurri blue, Italy has still never defeated Croatia in nine attempts.

Although he was chosen player of the match, Modric appeared stunned at the conclusion, leading some to speculate that this would be his last game for his nation.

“I’d like to keep playing forever but there will come a time when I’ll have to hang up my boots,” said Modric.

“I’ll keep playing on, I don’t know for how much longer.”

Photo by EPA/Daniel Dal Zennaro