Italy Advance to Round of 16 with Last-Minute Equalizer Against Croatia
Zaccagni's 98th-Minute Goal Seals Draw
Leipzig, Germany - Mattia Zaccagni's dramatic 98th-minute goal secured a 1-1 draw for Italy against Croatia, sending the Azzurri through to the Round of 16 at UEFA EURO 2024.
Croatia's Dream Fades
The draw left Croatia, who had taken an early lead through Ivan Perišić, needing a win to progress. However, Zaccagni's late strike dashed their hopes, sending them home after a disappointing group stage performance.
Italy's Resilience Shines Through
Despite conceding an early goal, Italy showed great resilience and determination throughout the match. They gradually gained control of possession and created several chances before finally finding a breakthrough in the dying moments.
Qualification Significance
The result means that Italy will face England in the Round of 16, while Croatia's tournament ends after three matches. It is a significant achievement for Italy, who missed out on the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and a major disappointment for Croatia, who were looking to build on their impressive third-place finish at the 2018 World Cup.
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