In the second half, the Spaniards were content to calmly manage their lead to achieve their faultless performance. In addition to these three victories in as many matches, Alvaro Morata’s teammates have still not conceded since the start of the competition.
Mattia Zaccagni saves the team… in the 98th minute, Croatia is eliminated
At the same time, the clash between Italy and Croatia was full of suspense. The Italians only needed one point to validate their qualification while Luka Modric’s gang had to win absolutely and recover their poor goal average (-3).
In the first half, the Croats had a monopoly on the ball and came close to opening the score but Donnarumma decided otherwise. The Italians could do the same but Livakovic in turn saved his nation by making a reflex save on a point-blank header from Bastoni.
Returning from the locker room, Frattesi touched the ball with his hand in the area, causing Croatia to take a penalty. Modric then grabbed the ball but Donnarumma continued his demonstration by choosing the right side. Except that the action continued and after a cross from the right, the PSG goalkeeper once again saved his team but the same Modric anticipated a decentralized Italian defense to open the score and virtually qualify his nation. With this goal, Real Madrid’s number ten becomes the oldest scorer in Euro history, at 38 years and 289 days.
The reigning European champions then pushed to get back into the game and were rewarded at the very end of the match. In the 98th minute, the Squadra tried one last offensive and Mattia Zaccagni, who had just come on, delivered his people with an unstoppable curl.
Thus, Italy narrowly saves its second place and will face Switzerland for a place in the quarter-finals. While Croatia, two points, is eliminated since it can no longer be part of the best third. Fourth with one point, Albania is also eliminated.
The eye of Felice Mazzù before Croatia – Italy: “La Squadra has the weapons”
