Everything was set up for veteran star Luka Modric, who initially missed a penalty but 32 seconds later sent the Croatian fans in the stadium into a frenzy with a tap-in. In the end, he probably won’t care that at 38 years, nine months and 15 days old, he is the oldest goalscorer at the European Championships, instead of a certain Ivica Vastic. He was almost exactly one month younger in the 1:1 draw against Poland in 2008.
After the goal, Croatia had the game under control and hardly allowed any chances, but when they were able to establish themselves in the opponent’s half, they committed the Croatian cardinal error. Central defender Riccardo Calafiori, who had been unlucky against Spain with an own goal, sprinted through the middle, saw Zaccagni on the left, and he scored just like Alessandro Del Piero did in the 2006 World Cup semi-final against Germany, with a curling shot into the top corner.
Modric’s record goal is not enough for Croatia
After the missed penalty, Luka Modric scores in the 55th minute and Croatia takes the lead 1-0.
This is also good news for Austria, who could even afford a four-goal defeat against the Netherlands on Tuesday (6 p.m., live on Servus TV) and would still be in the round of 16. In this round, Switzerland will face Italy, while group winners Spain will face a third-placed team from groups A/D/E/F. Croatia will probably return home with two points.
Next “home game” for Croatia
Croatia against Italy, that doesn’t just sound like a holiday, but also like great football. Both teams had left a lot to be desired in the first two matches, with the Croatians only playing 2:2 against outsiders Albania. But they had mobilized the most fans in this difficult group, and the Leipzig market square was once again bathed in the colors of the “Vatreni”.
ORF/Bernhard Kastler Croatia against Italy: The “derby” of the popular holiday countries on a warm summer evening in Leipzig
The match was played in the Leipzig Stadium. This was opened for the 2006 World Cup and is once again the only arena in the territory of the former German Democratic Republic (GDR) for a finals in Germany. The borders of the old central stadium up to the main building can still be seen. At the European Championships, the smallest capacity is here – 40,000 people; previously, there was room for around 100,000 people; it was the largest stadium in the GDR and Germany.
Sucic fires first warning shot
In pleasant temperatures, which both countries are familiar with, Salzburg legionnaire Luka Sucic was allowed to start after a strong second half against Albania, as was Mario Pasalic. Italy’s team manager Luciano Spalletti also made changes after the 0:1 defeat against Spain, bringing on Matteo Darmian, Mateo Retegui and Giacomo Raspadori.
Reuters/Annegret Hilse Sucic sent the ball towards the crossbar, but Donnarumma was already there
In the opening credits of the match, tennis players Marin Cilic and Jannik Sinner were allowed to further fuel the already good atmosphere with video messages. But the two fan groups took care of that themselves, as the anthems gave everyone goosebumps. And the match almost started with a bang, but Donnarumma deflected a Sucic shot into the top corner.
Italy initially with the best chance
The Croatians were under more pressure and appeared to be in good form at the beginning. But the Italians defended many of their moves with a five-man chain or only allowed long-range shots. As was the case against Albania, the Croatians got stuck around superstar Modric and initially didn’t have any more good chances.
Reuters/Annegret Hilse Bastoni headed towards the goal, but Livakovic brilliantly parried the ball over the bar
After Italy had become increasingly more confident in defence, they also started to play better in attack. Retegui headed the ball wide before a shot was blocked (21st/22nd).
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During this phase, Italy was able to establish itself in the Croatian half, and the “Squadra Azzurra” had the best opportunity from a corner: Nicolo Barrella put the ball perfectly onto the head of Alessandro Bastoni, who was free and was stopped by Dominik Livakovic (27′). The game calmed down before the break, Pellegrini failed with his shot, which was no problem for Livakovic either (36′).
Modric misses, scores and shakes Croatia
After the break, Croatia threw a lot of effort forward again and, as they had done against Albania, they were hoping for a moment when something would work out. And that was the case in the 52nd minute: Andrej Kramaric sent a hopeful cross into the middle and Davide Frattesi stretched out his arm. Referee Danny Makkelie from the Netherlands couldn’t help but point to the penalty spot, especially when he studied the video images. The arm was too far away.
Reuters/Lisi Niesner Modric missed a penalty, scored 32 seconds later and could have played his last European Championship game
This gave Modric, who had not attracted much attention in this tournament, the opportunity to make a good impression. But the Real legionnaire failed to score in the bottom right corner against Donnarumma, who had guessed the corner. The Croatian football legend certainly did not deserve to be eliminated from the European Championships. So he got a second chance: 32 seconds later, “joker” Ante Budimir had the opportunity, Donnarumma parried perfectly, but Modric scored.
Happy ending for the defending champion
The state of emergency was perfect. In the Leipzig stadium, 30,000 Croatia celebrated wildly, the cups flew all over the place, which will not only cost the Croatians their beer. Italy naturally had to play more forwards again, but the really big chances were in short supply. Bastoni had a header chance (61st minute), Raspadori put a free kick over (72nd minute), and “joker” Gianluca Scamacca missed the equalizer shortly before the end (87th minute). In a heated finish, Italy celebrated thanks to Zaccagni (98th minute), who had chosen a good time for his first goal.
UEFA EURO 2024, Group B, third matchday
Montag:
Croatia – Italy 1:1 (0:0)
Leipzig, 40.000, SR Makkelie (NED)
Torfolge:
1:0 Modric (55.)
1:1 Zaccagni (98.)
Croatia: Livakovic – Stanisic, Sutalo, Pongracic, Gvardiol – Brozovic, Modric (81./Majer), Kovacic (70./Ivanusec) – Sucic (70./Perisic), Kramaric (90./Juranovic), Pasalic (46./Budimir)
Italy: Donnarumma – Di Lorenzo, Darmian (81./Zaccagni), Bastoni, Calafiori, Dimarco (57./Chiesa) – Barella, Pellegrini (46./Frattesi), Jorginho (81./Fagioli) – Raspadori (75./Scamacca) , Retegui
Gelbe Karten: Sucic, Modric, Ivanusec, Stanisic, Pongracic, Brozovic bzw. Calafiori, Fagioli, Spalletti (Trainer)
Note: Modric failed with a penalty (54th) against Donnarumma.
