WATCH: Italy star Mattia Zaccagni unleashes curling strike to score last-minute equaliser and help Azzurri qualify for Euro 2024 knockouts
Mattia Zaccagni is the man of the moment after scoring a sensational last-minute equalizer in Italy's Euro 2024 final group-stage match against Croatia. Zaccagni's goal led Azzurri to qualify for the knockout stages, where they'll face Group A runners-up Switzerland. Watch the goal here:
After Luka Modric's rebound goal put Croatia ahead, Italy were on the verge of collapse until the final moments of the game. With little hope remaining, coach Spalletti brought in Mattia Zaccagni as a substitute for Matteo Darmian in the 81st minute.
The magical moment began at the center line, with Riccardo Calafiori passing the ball to Frattesi, who stumbled onto the ground after a collision with a Croatian player. With the game in its final minute of extra time, Calafiori picked up the ball at the right time, dribbed past the Croatian defense, and delivered a smooth pass to an approaching Zaccagni right outside the penalty box.
Zaccagni received the ball at the exact moment and sent off a stunning curler from the left side of the penalty box, with the ball shooting beyond Livakovic's arm straight into the Croatian net.
As Croatia's dreams of making it to the next round were shattered in the final moment, Zaccagni was showered with open arms as Italy secured its position in the Euro 2024 Round of 16.
Mattia Zaccagni named Italian legend Del Piero his hero after scoring winner vs Croatia in Euro 2024
Speaking to Sky Sports Italia after the Euro 2024 fixture against Croatia, Mattia Zaccagni admitted that Italian forward Alessandro Del Piero was his childhood hero.
“Del Piero was always my idol, I had his poster on my wall as a child. Before we went off to Germany, Del Piero met us in the camp, then we were able to talk via Instagram too and it was so exciting. I hope he writes tonight too!,” the Lazio forward said.
Del Piero is fondly remembered by Azzurri fans for his iconic goal in the 2006 World Cup semi-final against Germany in extra time. Many compared Zaccagni's goal in the final moments vs Croatia to Del Piero's stunner from the World Cup as both scored from a similar position.
Mattia Zaccagni mentioned how he could not articulate his emotions into words, describing the feeling as "indescribable."
“Many images went through my mind. It was an indescribable emotion, it was important we qualify as second and I am very happy," Zaccagni said.
He also revealed that he didn't even realize that it was the final kick of the game when he scored the beautiful curler from Calafiori's assist in Euro 2024.
"I honestly hadn’t even realised it was the last kick of the game. When the ball came to me, and it was done really well by Calafiori, I didn’t think twice. I went running and then got flattened under everyone! They wrecked me,” he added.