Who will Italy face in Euro 2024 Round of 16 after dramatic last-gasp 1-1 draw with Croatia?
Defending champions Italy left it late to confirm their place in the Euro 2024 knockouts. After going behind to a Luka Modric second-half strike in Leipzig on Monday (June 24), substitute Mattia Zaccagni turned out to be the Azzuri's saviour.
The Azzurri dominated proceedings without scoring and went behind when Modric - after seeing his spot-kick brilliantly saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma blasted home from close range moments later. That made the 38-year-old the oldest-ever goalscorer at the Euros.
However, the goal jolted Luciano Spalletti's side to action. Following mounting pressure on the Croatian goal, the equaliser came in the eighth minute of stoppage time, with Zaccagni curling home a brilliant curler to book a Round-of-16 date with Switzerland.
The last-gasp draw also means England, Netherlands and France have also booked their places in the Round of 16 ahead of their final group game.
For Croatia, though, they need a miracle to reach the Euro 2024 knockouts now, as they finished with two points from three games. That told on the face of Modric - who was adjudged the Man of the Match - as he might have played his last for the 2018 FIFA World Cup runners-up.
For Zlatko Delic's side to go through, they must finish among the four-best third-placed sides. That will happen under the following circumstances:
#1 England to beat Slovenia by at least three goals AND
#2 Turkey to beat the Czech Republic or draw goalless AND
#3 Portugal to beat Georgia or draw goalless
The Azzurri will open Euro 2024 Round of 16 action on Saturday (June 29) in Berlin.
"I expect more from my players" - Italy boss Luciano Spalletti after reaching Euro 2024 knockouts
Italy boss Luciano Spalletti has lauded his players for their character and belief while admitting that they were 'sub-par' in the first half. Nevertheless, the Azzurri improved, especially after conceding, and their efforts eventually bore fruit.
While the manager is happy with his team's reaction after going behind, he added that the team are still looking for their optimum 'balance' and that he expects more from his group.
"When games are decided like this, in the end everything becomes more exciting," Spalletti said after the win (via UEFA). "No one believed it any more, but the players risked little and kept their heads clear.
"We have to congratulate them on how they reacted. In the first half we were sub-par. If we do so little, we accomplish little. A behaviour where you think about the result without believing you can win it. I expect more from my players. You have to find that balance."
Zaccagni's late equaliser marked the ninth injury-time strike at Euro 2024, taking Italy through to the Round of 16 as Group B runner-ups, behind Spain.