Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
MATTIA ZACCAGNI’S SUPERB last-gasp strike fired Italy into the Euro 2024 knock-outs with a 1-1 draw against Croatia in a fraught Group B clash on Monday.
Italy progress in second place behind winners Spain and will face Switzerland in the last 16, while Croatia are on the verge of elimination but could still progress depending on other results later in the week.
With only two points it is unlikely Zlatko Dalic’s side will qualify as one of the four best third-place teams but it is still possible.
Croatia midfielder Luka Modric became the oldest goalscorer in the competition’s history with his strike after 55 minutes, just 33 seconds after Gianluigi Donnarumma saved the 38-year-old’s penalty.
It seemed enough for his team but Zaccagni whipped a brilliant strike into the top corner on the break in the 98th minute to send Italy through from what was dubbed a “group of death”.
After shipping five goals in the first two games, Dalic opted to shore up the midfield by bringing in Mario Pasalic and Luka Sucic amid four changes.
The coach also kept established trio of Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic despite their struggles in the 3-0 defeat by Spain and 2-2 draw against minnows Albania.
Luciano Spalletti’s Italy beat Albania 2-1 but were dominated by Spain in a 1-0 defeat and the coach shifted to a 3-5-2 formation, dropping Juventus’ Federico Chiesa.
Croatia dominated the opening exchanges against a defensive Italy side knowing a draw would send them through in second place behind group winners Spain.
On his first start at the tournament 21-year-old RB Salzburg midfielder Sucic forced a fine early save from Italy’s Gianluigi Donnarumma with a vicious drive from range.
Azzurri forward Mateo Retegui’s header was deflected narrowly wide at the other end on a rare forray forward, with the two-time winners happy to slow the game down and waste time at corners and throw-ins as early as the 20th minute.
Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic made a stunning stop to thwart Alessandro Bastoni, found by Nicolo Barella’s tempting cross, as the holders gained control without taking risks.
Dalic, who steered Croatia to the 2018 and 2022 World Cup final and semis respectively, threw on powerful striker Ante Budimir for the second half.
It gave his team a focal point and they looked instantly more threatening and swiftly reaped their reward.
Italy substitute Davide Frattesi handled Andrej Kramaric’s effort and after a VAR review Croatia were given a penalty.
Donnarumma clawed out Real Madrid midfielder Modric’s effort but the veteran could not be denied 33 seconds later.
The Italian goalkeeper made another fine save in the aftermath from Budimir as Croatia kept the pressure up and Modric smashed home the rebound from close range.
He beat the previous record for oldest Euros goalscorer set in 2008 by Austrian Ivica Vastic by 32 days.
Modric was replaced with 10 minutes to go and even some Italy supporters afforded the playmaker an ovation, while they nervously eyed the ever-advancing clock.
Croatia thought they had progressed but Zaccagni broke their hearts in the eighth and final minute of stoppage time.
Written by AFP and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won’t find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women’s sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
@Anthony Edward Healy: Trevor Deely is still considered relevant after double the amount of time missing, and in general unsolved missing persons cases do tend to be seen as relevant on anniversaries. The rag papers still pull leads out from their backsides year after year like it was Mark Hennessy or Graham Dwyer or some other person around the area at the time. She shouldn’t be here, but that doesn’t mean we can’t spread awareness around to help.
@Anthony Edward Healy: absolutely worst comment ive read in a long time Anthony. So a family looking for a missing person even after 10 years is not relevant in you’re eyes. And buck of with the funeral thing as well. I was at my own mother’s funeral Last March in these circumstances. Life goes on covid or no covid .
Just lit a candle for Ersa, it’s in the window and it will shine bright in hope
one of the strangest cases ever…..
Living a nightmare..we could only imagine what her family are going through….very sad…
@Anthony Edward Healy: after what length of time does someone’s disappearance be one irrelevant?
Anthony healy.. come back to me when one of ur daughters or son goes missing… and see what ur attitude is then.. people like u are s@um
@Anthony Edward Healy: I’d kind of agree but I think thay what’s important here is the sister’s efforts to keep the story relevant.
@Anthony Edward Healy: God forbid, if it was a member of your family, would you be saying it’s not a relevant story. Would you not be looking for answers? Would you not want it on the papers, in the news & on platforms like this? I’m very sure you would! What a ridiculous statement to make.
@Anthony Edward Healy: come back to me when one of ur daughter’s or son goes missing.. see what ur attitude is then.. people like u make make me $$$
@Anthony Edward Healy: we all know about covid and the problems familys have with funerals etc. But for you to question raising this issue 10 years on is very cold. To put it simply if it was your family member missing how would you feel.
This is a very sad and horrible situation and my heart goes out to this family. I can only imagine the pain of not knowing, but this whole Covid situation has all plans turned upside down. Its not a time for travelling or mingling with others even if it is to them essential travel. We all have our essential reasons for doing things. Perhaps Bray residents might be able to post these around Bray on her behalf and raise awareness on this occasion.
@Lydia McLoughlin: it’s in the article, the sister didn’t travel because of Covid and locals put up posters.
@Anthony Edward Healy: ur s@um
@Anthony Edward Healy: I hope you know by now that there is something seriously wrong with your attitude. You expected a backlash so you know it’s not ok but i doubt you know what so you seriously need to take a look at yourself, actually scrap that, it’s looking at yourself too much that is your problem. Just know you made a horrible statement, take it back.
Staying in Uk
Harrowing to go through this and very hard to believe she would do that just before the arrival of her mother for a month. Thinking of you at this time.
@Pat O’Brien: when people make up their minds about doing something logic goes out the window. Suicides and mental illness can be very bizarre. No warning sometimes.
It’s very tragic also that her body was never recovered but at this stage won’t be either. Burial at sea isn’t the worst
@Tom Ripley: burial at sea, if that’s the case, has been horrific for the family.
@Anthony Edward Healy: I was gona call ye a pri*k, but then I changed my mind.
I hope someone comes forward with new information. There doesn’t seem to be much hope that she’s still alive but her family need to know what happened to her. To bear the questions of what happened to a loved one plus the grief of their absence is unimaginable.
have your say