Euro 2024: How can Luka Modric's Croatia qualify for knockout stages despite finishing with only 2 points after Italy draw? Scenarios explained
Luka Modric-led Croatia finished second in Group B with only two points and a negative goal difference (-3) following their 1-1 draw with Italy in Euro 2024 on Monday, June 24. Spain topped the group with nine points after winning all three matches, with Italy finishing second with four points. Albania, meanwhile, bagged just one point to finish last.
After a goalless first half at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig, Luka Modric broke the deadlock against Italy in the 55th minute. The Real Madrid legend redeemed himself after missing a penalty just a minute earlier. Just as it seemed Croatia would bag the three points, Italy's Mattia Zaccagni netted the equalizer in the concluding minutes (90+8').
Although Croatia's dreams of progressing to the knockouts of Euro 2024 are not entirely over, they are now dependent on other teams.
England, who are currently atop Group C with four points, face Slovenia on Tuesday, June 25. The Three Lions need to win the match by three goals or more for Croatia to progress.
Other requirements for Modric's team to qualify for the Euro 2024 knockouts involve Turkey defeating or having a goalless draw against the Czech Republic on Wednesday, June 26, while Cristiano Ronaldo-led Portugal need to beat Georgia or end the clash in a goalless draw.
Luka Modric, who made his senior debut for Croatia in 2006, has scored 26 goals and provided 29 assists in 178 appearances for his nation.
Luka Modric apologized to the fans after Croatia's draw against Italy in Euro 2024
Croatia national team captain Luka Modric, who is likely playing his final Euro, spoke up after an unsatisfying group-stage campaign which saw them draw two of their three games while losing the other
The 38-year-old midfielder said (via @MadridXtra on X):
"I don’t know what to say…"
"Football can be very cruel, and that is what happened to us tonight," he added.
Modric apologized to the fans after the 1-1 against Italy and said:
"We're sorry that it wasn't the victory needed to go to the next round," he said.
With his goal for Croatia against Italy, Luka Modric became the oldest goalscorer at the European Championships at 38 years and 289 days old. Previously, the record was held by Austrian Ivica Vastic, who was 38 years, and 257 days old when he netted against Poland at Euro 2008.