Euro 2024: Zaccagni saves the Azzurri in the 98th minute! Italy-Switzerland in the round of 16
Euro 2024: Zaccagni saves Azzurri at 98'! Italy-Switzerland in the round of 16, Croatia eliminated
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Zaccagni changes Italy's fate: the Lazio striker scores in 98' the equalizing goal against Croatia, qualifying the Azzurri for the round of 16 of Euro 2024. Incredible mockery for the checkered national team, which had gone ahead with the eternal Luka Modric was already anticipating qualification. Group B thus ends with Spain first with full points (a narrow victory against Albania), Italy second and Croatia third and almost eliminated: the Azzurri will face Switzerland in Berlin in the round of 16.
Croatia-Italy 1-1
55' Modric (C), 98' Zaccagni
Spalletti dusts off the 3-5-2 by launching from 1' Raspadori and Retegui, with Chiesa and Scamacca on the bench. In the first half, the Azzurri give positive signs, compared to the challenge with Spain they are more aggressive and create more dangers, especially with Bastoni who on 27' header forces Livakovic to the miracle. But Croatia also shows up, Donnarumma è decisive on Sucic.
In the resumption Croatia starts definitely better, at 52' it earns a penalty kick for Frattesi’s arm touch: Makkelie does not see it, but VAR corrects his decision. From the penalty spot Donnarumma parries Modric’s penalty, but just a minute later, at 55', the Real Madrid midfielder redeems himself by putting the national team ahead in checkered play: defensive disaster of the Azzurri, Donnarumma makes another miracle on Budimir but on the rebound the 38-year-old Modric è the fastest of all and scores with his left hand.
Spalletti immediately throws Chiesa into the fray, in for Dimarco and then Raspadori, in for Scamacca. The goal shakes Italy, which reacts and pushes, putting Croatia in trouble. The Azzurri managed possession, but in attack the plays were confused and not very dangerous.
In the final, Spalletti’s desperation moves: inside Fagioli for Jorginho and Zaccagni for Modric. At 87'87' Chiesa breaks through on the right, but Scamacca è late and fails to get to the Juventino’s cross. As many as eight minutes of stoppage time, it seems to be over because Italy can no longer create anything, but right at 98'Calafiori comes up with a golden assist for Zaccagni who with a right-footed volley puts it in the cross of the posts, changing Italy's destiny.
Albania-Spain 0-1
13' Ferran Torres (S)
Spain already qualified for first place and stuffed with reserves dominated the first half in Düsseldorf against Albania. Unlocking the result è Ferran Torres on 13' on a splendid pass from Dani Olmo. The Red Furies commanded but were not very concrete under goal, with Dani Olmo and Ferran collecting goal balls without being able to double.
In the second half, usual score: Spain manages possession and tries to make itself dangerous with sudden accelerations, Albania remains closed, trying to react on the counter-attack. At 65' Silvinho’s team comes close to equalizing with Broja on a free kick. In the final, the Iberians dropped, but Albania failed to hurt De La Fuente’s rearguard. Three more points for Spain, which ends its group with full points.
