Italy vs. Croatia: A Clash of Titans
Italy's Last-Gasp Heroics Send Them to Round of 16
A nail-biting draw between two European powerhouses
In a thrilling Group B match, Italy and Croatia played out a dramatic 1-1 draw, with substitute Mattia Zaccagni scoring a heart-stopping goal deep into stoppage time to propel Italy into the last 16 of Euro 2024. This was the third meeting between the two nations at a major tournament, with Croatia having won 2-1 at the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
The match was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams creating chances but unable to find the breakthrough. Croatia went close on several occasions, but the Italian defense stood firm. As the game approached its end, it seemed like the two sides were destined to share the points.
However, in the 98th minute, Zaccagni popped up with a stunning goal to snatch the victory for Italy. The winger latched onto a loose ball outside the Croatia box and fired a low shot into the bottom corner, sending the Italian fans into raptures. The goal was a cruel blow for Croatia, who had fought valiantly for a point.
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