7 minutes and 21 seconds into overtime, Mattia Zaccagni scored the 1-1 goal which sends Italy through to the EC and Croatia probably out of the EC. Croatia then led 1-0 and were seconds away from a safe place in the round of 16. – Unbelievable drama But in the very last additional minute of the game, the equalizer came that most likely sends them out of the championship. – An incredible drama. Football can be brutal, said TV 2’s Øyvind Alsaker precisely after the late scoring. With two points and minus three in goal difference, a lot is needed for the Croats to be among the top four in the group. At the time of writing, they are number five in the table of three, but at full throttle Croatia can still beat 3rd place in groups C and F. – A miracle is needed for them to progress now, TV 2 expert Jesper Mathisen said after end of match. Italy will face Switzerland in the round of 16 next Saturday. LIKELY OUT: Croatia still have a theoretical hope of advancement. Photo: Sunday Alamba / AP But that Monday’s match between the two nations will probably be remembered as one of the EC’s most dramatic, not many had faith in that along the way. Wayne Rooney said it bluntly to the BBC during the break: – This was very boring. But the match between Italy and Croatia on Monday night quickly developed into a match many will remember for a long time. The second half was only six minutes old when substitute Davide Frattesi touched the ball with his hand in his own field. After a VAR check, referee Danny Makkelie was confident in his case and awarded a penalty. – What a drama, right in front of the Croatia supporters, pointed out Jesper Mathisen on TV 2. At this point, Croatia was in all probability out of the EC with only two points. MISSED: Here Luka Modric missed a penalty. 32 seconds later he scored the goal that for a long time seemed to send Croatia through. Photo: Reuters – A historic moment Captain and superstar Luka Modric stepped forward and took responsibility from the penalty spot, but to the Croatians’ great despair, the penalty kick was saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma. But then the stage was set for a moment that will be remembered for a long time, both in Croatia and in the football world in general. Croatia won the ball back and attacked on the right. A cross was extended by Ante Budimir, before Donnarumma saved brilliantly once again. But on the return, penalty taker Modric appeared and thumped the ball into the goal with a neat finish. – A historic moment, a crazy moment. Now the plastic cups are hailing around us, we have to seek cover in Leipzig, said TV 2’s Alsaker to deafening cheers from Croatia’s supporters. Beer in the press stand Modric’s goal came only 32 seconds after the penalty miss. And that it was him, the nation’s great football hero, put the finishing touches. – It is only in football that such moments are possible, said TV 2’s expert Jesper Mathisen, before adding: – Now towels are being handed out in the press stand. The Swedes sitting in front of us are soaked in beer. It speaks volumes about the kind of moment this was for the Croats. Modric is, at 38 years and 289 days, the oldest player ever to have scored in an EC final, reports the statistics agency Opta on Monday evening. Modric was also named the best player on the pitch by Uefa. But everything is probably scant consolation for the little midfield genius. In overtime, therefore, came the equaliser, which probably sends them out. MATCH WINNER: Ferran Torres proved worthy of the trust when he scored the only goal of the match via the post after 13 minutes. (edited) Photo: PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA / AFP Spain in full control In the same group, Spain were already winners of Group B before Monday’s match. Thus, they chose to make ten changes to the team before the match against Albania. Albania had to win if they were to have any chance of progressing in the EC. Spain’s reserves showed that they were eager to play and wanted to show off. Because already after 13 minutes they scored when Ferran Torres put the ball in the goal. Dani Olmo was strung up in the space and turned up with a Spain team moving forward. He played through Ferran Torres who had come into the center of the pitch from his wing position. Alone with the goalkeeper, Torres made no mistake and put the ball into the goal via the post rota. – One of the EC’s best directed attacks. Everything is right for Spain here, you see they are taking their time and then the stinger comes, said TV 2’s expert commentator Yaw Amankwah. In the second half, Albania rallied, but could never get the ball into the goal. Thus, the Albanians come out with only one point in this year’s EC. Published 24.06.2024, at 23.02 Updated 24.06.2024, at 23.21
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– An unimaginable drama – Football European Championship 2024
