24th June, 2024
Kazeem Ugbodaga
Mattia Zaccagni’s last-gasp sent Italy into the round of 16 in a dramatic fashion on Monday, claiming a 1-1 draw against Croatia.
Italy were on the verge of dropping out of automatic qualification from the group stage when Zaccagni equalised eight minutes into added time.
Zaccagni showed off his superb ability as he volleyed the ball from inside the box into the right side of the target after he was assisted by Riccardo Calafiori.
After a goalless first half, Croatia took the lead in the 55th minute through their captain, Luka Modric.
Modric fired a rebound in the box into the roof of the net after the ball broke to him to make it 1-0.
Modric had a minute earlier missed a penalty. He attempted to slot the ball into the bottom right corner, but Gianluigi Donnarumma pulled off a superb save.
He made amend with the goal a minute later.
Earlier in the first half, a dangerous attempt from Luka Sucic was aimed to the top left corner, but Gianluigi Donnarumma pulled off a superb save and stopped the ball.
In the 28th minute, Dominik Livakovic made a superb save to deny a header which was nodded towards the roof of the net by Alessandro Bastoni after a cross from the side.
In the 62nd minute, a corner was swung in and Alessandro Bastoni leapt above the defence only to send his header a whisker over the bar from close in.