Late drama as Zaccagni goal sends Italy through
An added time goal from Italy's Mattia Zaccagni snatched a 1-1 draw with Croatia which was enough to earn the Azzurri a place in the last 16 of Euro 2024 as Group B runner-up, where it will face Switzerland, while Croatia must wait to see if it progresses.
After a scoreless first half, Croatia's Luka Modric had a penalty saved in the 54th minute but less than a minute later he smashed home a rebound after Gianluigi Donnarumma pulled off another fine save from Ante Budimir.
The goal brought defending champion Italy to life, and it pressed for the equaliser which would take it through and with time running out Zaccagni curled home a shot from distance to break Croatian hearts.
Spain tops the group on nine points, Italy finishes with four and Croatia sits third on two points and must wait to see if it will progress as one of the best four third-placed finishers.
Albania is eliminated, finishing bottom of the group on one point after its 1-0 loss to Spain, a result which means England, France and Netherlands are guaranteed to finish at least among the four best third-placed teams.
