Zaccagni shocks Croatia late on Italy equalize in the 98th minute and challenge Switzerland in the round of 16

Italy will be Switzerland's opponents in the round of 16 next Saturday in Berlin. The defending champions secured 2nd place in Group B with a 1-1 draw against Croatia. The equalizer came in the 98th minute.

Mattia Zaccagni came close to hero status with the last attack of the game. The Lazio Roma substitute curled the ball superbly into the goal to secure Italy's direct entry into the round of 16 at the very last second.

The late goal was not undeserved. The Italians did more for the game, but were often clumsy. Until Zaccagni's stroke of genius, two headers from central defender Alessandro Bastoni were the most dangerous the "Squadra Azzurra" had produced.

Croatia two points away from elimination

For Croatia, the tournament is likely to end after the preliminary round. With two points and a poor goal difference, their chances of progressing as one of the four best third-placed teams in the group are practically nil. The last time Croatia missed out on the knockout round at a major tournament was in 2014.

The Qatar World Cup bronze medallists showed a slight improvement on their previous matches, but were nowhere near as strong as the Croatians have been under the direction of Luka Modric. For the most part, they lacked the pace to really put the Italians under pressure. It took an Italian handball by Davide Frattesi in his own penalty area around the 55th minute to create the two chances that almost decided the game. First, Luka Modric was denied by the penalty by the once again outstanding Gianluigi Donnarumma, and 30 seconds later Modric scored. In the end, however, this small rebellion by the Croatians was not enough.

Round of 16 on Saturday at 18:00

And what can we make of Italy, the Swiss' next opponents? The "Squadra Azzurra" cut a somewhat better figure than in the playful debacle against Spain. But Murat Yakin's team need not be afraid. The round of 16 match between Switzerland and Italy will take place next Saturday at 18:00 in Berlin.

Albania eliminatedSpain storm into the knockout phase with maximum points

In the parallel match, Spain lived up to their role as favourites against Albania despite making major changes and won 1:0. Albania are now bottom of the group and the third team after Poland and Scotland to have to go home before the knockout phase.

Telegram

Croatia - Italy 1:1 (0:0)

Leipzig. - 38'322 spectators. - SR Makkelie (NED). - Goals: 55. Modric 1:0. 98. Zaccagni 1:1.

Croatia: Livakovic; Stanisic, Sutalo, Pongracic, Gvardiol; Modric (80. Majer), Brozovic, Kovacic (70. Ivanusec); Sucic (70. Perisic), Kramaric (90. Juranovic), Pasalic (46. Budimir).

Italy: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Bastoni, Calafiori, Darmian (81. Zaccagni); Barella, Jorginho (81. Fagioli); Raspadori (75. Scamacca), Pellegrini (46. Frattesi), Dimarco (57. Chiesa); Retegui.

Remarks: Croatia without Vida (injured). Italy complete. 54 Donnarumma saves Modric's penalty. Cautions: 24. Sucic. 60. Modric. 73. Ivanusec. 78. Pongracic. 82. Stanisic. 91. Brozovic. 93. Calafiori. 97. Fagioli.

Live ticker

Croatia

Completed

1:1

(0:0)

Italy

• Luka Modric - 1:0 (55.)
•  

•  
• (90.+8.) 1:1 - Mattia Zaccagni

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98.
Zaccagni lets Italy celebrate
55.
Modric scores to make it 1:0 for Croatia
0.
The national team has a clear favorite opponent
In the highly-rated European Championship Group B, only Spain, who have been confirmed as the winners, can take it easy at the end. Italy need just one point to reach the last 16, Croatia must win. Albania also still have a chance. And the Swiss have a dream opponent for the round of 16. Read more here.
0.
The football talk from blue Sport as a hot topic
90.+10.
End of 2nd half
90.+8.
Goal for Italy, 1:1 through Mattia Zaccagni (Riccardo Calafiori)

Mattia Zaccagni
Striker

Assist: Riccardo Calafiori
Defender
90.+6.
Yellow card Italy
Nicolò Fagioli
90.+3.
Yellow card Italy
Riccardo Calafiori
90.+2.
Yellow card Croatia
Marcelo Brozovic
90.
Substitution in Croatia

Josip Juranovic
Defender
90.
Substitution out Croatia

Andrej Kramaric
Striker
82.
Yellow card Croatia
Josip Stanisic
81.
Substitution in Italy

Nicolò Fagioli
Midfielder
81.
Substitution out Italy

Jorginho
Midfielder
81.
Substitution in Italy

Mattia Zaccagni
Striker
81.
Substitution out Italy

Matteo Darmian
Defender
81.
Substitution in Croatia

Lovro Majer
Midfielder
81.
Substitution out Croatia

Luka Modric
Midfielder
78.
Yellow card Croatia
Marin Pongracic
75.
Substitution in Italy

Gianluca Scamacca
Striker
75.
Substitution out Italy

Giacomo Raspadori
Striker
73.
Yellow card Croatia
Luka Ivanušec
70.
Substitution in Croatia

Luka Ivanušec
Midfielder
70.
Substitution out Croatia

Mateo Kovacic
Midfielder
70.
Substitution in Croatia

Ivan Perišic
Striker
70.
Substitution out Croatia

Luka Sucic
Striker
60.
Yellow card Croatia
Luka Modric
57.
Substitution in Italy

Federico Chiesa
Striker
57.
Substitution out Italy

Federico Dimarco
Defender
55.
Goal for Croatia, 1:0 through Luka Modric

Luka Modric
Midfielder
54.
Croatia misses penalty

Luka Modric
Midfielder
46.
Substitution in Italy

Davide Frattesi
Midfielder
46.
Substitution out Italy

Lorenzo Pellegrini
Midfielder
46.
Substitution in Croatia

Ante Budimir
Striker
46.
Substitution out Croatia

Mario Pašalic
Striker
46.
Kick-off 2nd half
45.+2.
End of 1st half
24.
Yellow card Croatia
Luka Sucic
1.
Start of the match