To qualify, Croatia absolutely had to win. It was done, thanks to a goal from the eternal Luka Modric, during 90 minutes. Until a goal from Zaccagni in stoppage time.
Spalletti had released a more defensive composition than the first two games. Chiesa gives up his place, just like Scamacca, and Dimarco has moved up a notch. On the Croatian side, we are trying new things after two failed matches. Majer (who was the most prominent against Albania) is on the bench in the same way as Petkovic, Juranovic and Perisic.
The game
Croatia got off to a good start with a nice shot from Susic, which Donnarumma was going to hit the top corner. Italy then tried to take the match into their own hands. It almost happened but Retegui’s header went just wide. Livakovic saved his team from a header from Bastoni, completely alone. Ultimately, each of the two teams could have claimed more in the first period.
In the second half, Croatia was put into orbit by a hand in the rectangle. Modric pulled the penalty but was stopped by Donnarumma. In the process, the Italian goalkeeper made a 5-star save in front of Budimir but could do nothing on the second ball… Made concrete by Modric !
While everything suggested that Croatia was qualified, Italy emerged at the very end of stoppage time thanks to a magnificent goal from Zaccagni.
The essays
Croatia : Livakovic – Gvardiol, Pongracic, Sutalo, Stanisic – Kovacic (Ivanusec 69e), Brozovic, Modric (Majer 80e) – Pasalic (Budimir 46e), Kramaric (Juranovic 89e), Sucic (Perisic 69e).
Italy : Donnarumma – Di Lorenzo, Bastoni, Calafiori, Darmian (Zaccagni 81e) – Barella, Jorginho (Fagioli 81e), Pellegrini (Frattesi 46e) – Raspadori (Scamacca 75e), Dimarco (Chiesa 56e), Retegui.
Faced with a completely overhauled Spanish team, Albania failed to maintain its position in this Euro. The only goal of the match was scored by Ferran Torres in the first half.
If Spain did not keep a single one of its starters on the field (and yet de la Fuente is a quality team), Albania only made one change: the exit of veteran Hysaj for the benefit of Balliu.
The game
Despite a good start, Albania, which was clearly not the favorite in this meeting, gave in in the first quarter of an hour. Well served by Dani Olmo, Ferran Torres did not tremble and opened the scoring with the help of the post (13th, 0-1).
After being dominated throughout the first period, Albania returned to the field with good intentions as evidenced by the multiple chances obtained by Sylvinho’s men who failed to find the fault.
Albania’s defeat had a positive domino effect for three other teams in the competition as this result mathematically allows England, France and the Netherlands to qualify for the round of 16 before even playing their last match on Tuesday, respectively against Slovenia, Poland and Austria. These three countries are guaranteed to finish, at worst, among the four best thirds in groups.
The essays
Albania : Strakosha – Mitaj, Ajeti, Djimsiti, Balliu – Asllani, Ramadani, Laci (Berisha 72e) – Bajrami (Hoxha 72e), Asani (Muci 81e), Manaj (Broja 59e).
Spain : Raya – J. Navas, Vivian, Laporte (Le Normand 46e), Grimaldo – Zubimendi, Merino, Olmo (Baena 84e) – Torres (Yamal 72e), Oyarzabal (Lopez 61e), Joselu (Morata 72e).
 while Spain secures against Albania (0-1, videos)){kind=link}