Croatia vs Italy live updates (2024)

Mattia Zaccagni scored in the final minute of stoppage time as Italy broke Croatia’s hearts at Euro 2024 on Monday

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Max Mathews

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June 24, 2024 at 6:55 PM EDTMax Mathews·Live Reporter

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Retegui: Result brings 'great satisfaction'

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Italy striker Mateo Retegui, speaking post-match, said: "It was a great satisfaction, we are very happy because we played against a team of great quality, demonstrating all our personality after the defeat against Spain.

"A striker always wants to score but we are a team. The important thing today was to draw and get through.

"Now we're going step by step, we'll play against another strong team in Switzerland but we want to win and go forward."

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June 24, 2024 at 6:40 PM EDTMax Mathews·Live Reporter

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Calafiori: 'I'm so happy'

Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori, excellent throughout, said: "I cannot explain my feelings right now because I'm so happy.

"I think we deserved this goal a lot. We proved that we could play like this. We have to keep going on this path.

"When you play with no fear and you have the game in your hands, it's completely different.

"The important thing is the attitude you put on the pitch. At this level, every team is more or less on the same level and the team that is more determined to win finally gets the better (result)."

June 24, 2024 at 6:30 PM EDTMax Mathews·Live Reporter

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Zaccagni: Goal was 'indescribable emotion'

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Goalscorer Mattia Zaccagni opened up on the emotion of his goal, saying: "It was an indescribable emotion.

"Scoring the goal that helped the team to qualify, I'm so happy.

"(Riccardo) Calafiori gave (me) a fantastic ball, then the hug of the entire team, it was amazing."

June 24, 2024 at 6:25 PM EDTMax Mathews·Live Reporter

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Pongracic: Our best 'wasn't enough'

Croatia defender Marin Pongracic said: "It's hard to find the words after this. We are all very disappointed, this was like a big final match for us. We wanted that win more than anything else.

"Of course, we could have been in the better situation before this match, but we weren't, so we had to defeat Italy. We gave everything we could, but it wasn't enough.

"Maybe it's not a coincidence to concede a goal in the last moments of the match in two consecutive matches, especially against Albania. We need to do the deeper analysis of why is this happening. That's why it hurt even more after today.

"We are really sorry to our amazing fans, but we are sorry because of us even more. We know we could have done more than this with what we showed in today's match."

June 24, 2024 at 6:22 PM EDTMax Mathews·Live Reporter

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Spalletti: Italy substitutes were 'giants'

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Italy boss Luciano Spalletti hailed the impact of his substitutes, saying: "The guys who came on are giants in terms of what they showed.

"Those that played for 10 mins were absolutely crucial, they kept the game in the balance, they did things perfectly."

June 24, 2024 at 6:19 PM EDTMax Mathews·Live Reporter

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More from Dalic on Modric substitution

Dalic, asked to explain why he brought off talismanic midfielder Luka Modric, added: "I think he scored a wonderful goal, it would have been a nice goal if he scored from 12 yards (too).

"I didn't want to waste him for more minutes, we needed to freshen things up in terms of personnel, he wasn't in any way tired.

"It was my decision, I wanted to bring someone on who was a bit fresher because Luka had given everything."

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June 24, 2024 at 6:19 PM EDTMax Mathews·Live Reporter

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Zlatko Dalic: 'It really hurts'

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Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic, speaking in his post-match press conference, said: "Yeah, it really hurts, it still hurts and it will still hurt over the coming weeks and months, it's not easy.

"You can't have eight minutes of added time in that game, eight minutes! It's a nonsense, I don't really want to get into it too much, we had a couple of penalties our way, don't want to cause a fuss, but Croatia needs to be respected, recognised, we played for almost three hours.

"Were it Spain, Portugal, Germany, no... As you know FIFA and UEFA, we're a small country, no one gives us too much thought so we have to stand up for ourselves.

"I want to thank the players, I want to thank the fanbase, we are delighted and very proud of them."

June 24, 2024 at 6:15 PM EDTMax Mathews·Live Reporter

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Full quotes from Luka Modric: ‘Football was merciless’

Luka Modric labelled football “cruel and merciless” after Croatia were all but eliminated from Euro 2024 by a 98th-minute Italy equaliser.

“We kept battling right until the end but unfortunately football was merciless tonight, football was cruel,” Modric said. “Not only today but also in our last game when we conceded a late goal (in the 95th minute against Albania).

“It’s hard when you lose like this to find the words to describe how you feel. Of course we need to bounce back but that’s the way it is. Perhaps it’s unfair because we all fought for Croatia from the first whistle to the last, the footballing gods don’t always smile on us.

“I’d also like to keep playing for ever, but there’ll probably come a time when I have to hang up my boots,” he added. “I’ll keep playing on but I don’t know for how much longer.”

GO FURTHERLuka Modric: ‘Football was merciless’ as Italy equalise in 98th minute against Croatia
June 24, 2024 at 6:10 PM EDTMax Mathews·Live Reporter

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Euro 2024, Day 11 - Throwing Beers and Croatia Close to Tears

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The heartbreakingly fine margins between success and failure were written across the face of Luka Modric on day 11 of Euro 2024 as Croatia were pretty much eliminated by conceding to Italy in the last act of their game.

All the while the beer cups rained down from the stands, more of that in a bit, on a day that witnessed the start of Barnabas Varga’s road to recovery with surgery after his sickening head clash on Sunday.

Plus, a continuing squabble involving England (who also advanced) and Spain becoming the first team to win three games from three, advancing as Group B winners.

Below, The Athletic's writers explain the key talking points from today at the Euros.

GO FURTHEREuro 2024 day 11 – Throwing beers, Modric close to tears, surgery for Varga, England’s noise
June 24, 2024 at 6:08 PM EDTMax Mathews·Live Reporter

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Zlatko Dalic: 'It was a great fight'

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Defeated Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic, speaking after the match, said: "Last minute Albania, last minute today. I can only congratulate the guys on the fight, the willingness, the sacrifice they showed. But here it is, it's not our tournament.

"Croatia were good, especially in the first half. We didn't concede a goal, that's what we didn't manage to do against Spain and Albania. I can only congratulate the guys on a great fight.

"We've missed two penalties, we conceded two goals in injury time, that's what it is. A theory about going further?

"Well, we can't influence that, we had the situation in our hands. Thank you to the people who cheered us on, I'm sorry for them, I'm mostly disappointed because of that."

June 24, 2024 at 6:06 PM EDTMax Mathews·Live Reporter

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And what about goalscorer Mattia Zaccagni?

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The Athletic

That one in the Croatia penalty area, of course, being the key one.

He only entered the match in the 81st minute, but the Lazio winger had quite the impact.

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June 24, 2024 at 6:04 PM EDTMax Mathews·Live Reporter

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Where did Luka Modric take his touches?

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The Athletic

Anatomy of a midfield masterclass.

June 24, 2024 at 6:02 PM EDTMax Mathews·Live Reporter

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Reminiscent of Alessandro Del Piero

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The manner of Mattia Zaccagni's finish tonight, a right-footed, first-time curling effort from the left side of the penalty area, across the goalkeeper and into the top-right corner had echoes of another famous Italian goal.

Namely, Alessandro Del Piero's stunner against Germany in the 2006 World Cup semi-final.

When asked about the comparison, Zaccagni said: "Alex was my idol. I had his poster in my room and we saw each other before leaving for the Euros. Then we spoke again in recent days too, it was so exciting."

June 24, 2024 at 5:58 PM EDTMax Mathews·Live Reporter

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Come-from-behind FC

Bouncebackability, former Crystal Palace manager Iain Dowie used to call it.

That's twice now at this tournament alone Italy have come from behind to avoid defeat, after beating Albania 2-1 after conceding the quickest European Championship goal of all time.

Italy had only come from behind to avoid defeat in a Euros group stage match twice before - a 2-1 win against Bulgaria in 2004 and a 1-1 draw against Romania in 2008.

They've done it twice in three matches in Germany.

June 24, 2024 at 5:54 PM EDTMax Mathews·Live Reporter

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A look at the numbers

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The Athletic

Croatia outperformed Italy for expected goals (xG) and shots on target, but Italy's goal at the end is the key figure.

Thanks to Duncan Alexander for the graphic.

June 24, 2024 at 5:53 PM EDTMax Mathews·Live Reporter

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Spalletti: 'I expect more from my players'

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Italy boss Luciano Spalletti, speaking to RAI, said: "When games are decided like this, in the end everything becomes more exciting. No one believed it any more, but the players risked little and kept their heads clear.

"We have to congratulate them on how they reacted. In the first half we were sub-par. If we do so little, we accomplish little. A behaviour where you think about the result without believing you can win it. I expect more from my players. You have to find that balance.

"We have players who have the quality to play these games. But we make mistakes that are too trivial. We have superior qualities than what we have seen. We need to do more."

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June 24, 2024 at 5:51 PM EDTMax Mathews·Live Reporter

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Di Lorenzo: 'This is a starting point for us'

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Italy defender Giovanni Di Lorenzo, speaking to Italian TV channel RAI after the match, said: "It was a tough game, but the important thing was to get through the group, a difficult group. But we're happy, it's nice to draw and go through at the last minute.

"Maybe against Spain we gave this sense of fragility that a great team like ours shouldn't have. We definitely need to grow, even if in these tournaments the time to do so is not enough.

"Certainly in terms of play we can do better, but in terms of attitude we can't say anything. It's a point from which we have to start again."

June 24, 2024 at 5:49 PM EDTMax Mathews·Live Reporter

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Ivanusec: 'I am empty'

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Modric's team-mate Luka Ivanusec said: “I'm empty, we don't know what to say.

“Until the last minute, we have everything and now I have no words. We are disappointed.”

Defender Marin Pongracic added: “Very sad. The desire was there. We gave them chances, it could have gone the other way.

“After half-time, we got up, took more risks, scored a goal and then, in the end, we concede a goal very cheaply.”

June 24, 2024 at 5:47 PM EDTMax Mathews·Live Reporter

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Luka Modric: 'Football is cruel'

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Croatia's Luka Modric, speaking after the match, said: "I don't know what to tell you, football is sometimes cruel.

"It has been shown again, but well, what is there is there. We didn't deserve this goal.

"We didn't doubt the fans, we knew they were always with us, thank you. We're sorry that it wasn't that victory to go to the next round."

June 24, 2024 at 5:43 PM EDTMax Mathews·Live Reporter

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Cristiano Ronaldo vs Luka Modric

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With tonight's goal, as well as becoming the tournament's oldest goalscorer in history, Luka Modric is now just the second player to score at four different European Championship tournaments, along with former Real Madrid team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo, currently on five, could make that six if he scores at this tournament.

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Croatia vs Italy live updates (2024)

FAQs

Croatia vs Italy live updates? ›

COLOGNE, Germany -- England wins group at Euro 2024 and Slovenia advances to knockout round after 0-0 draw, Croatia is eliminated.

Is Croatia eliminated in Euro 2024? ›

COLOGNE, Germany -- England wins group at Euro 2024 and Slovenia advances to knockout round after 0-0 draw, Croatia is eliminated.

Who will win Croatia v Italy? ›

A dramatic added-time goal from Italy's Mattia Zaccagni snatched a 1-1 draw with Croatia which was enough to earn them a place in the last 16 of Euro 2024 and likely sends Croatia home.

Is Croatia out of euros? ›

Euro 2024 is down to the final 16 teams, as eight are headed home after an exciting group stage. We said goodbye to Albania, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Scotland, Serbia and Ukraine, but we can all enjoy another four rounds of fixtures before the winner is crowned on July 14.

Who scored in Italy vs. Croatia? ›

Mattia Zaccagni scores an ELECTRIC 98th-minute equalizer vs. Croatia.

Can Croatia still qualify? ›

How can Croatia qualify for Euro 2024 Round of 16. If Croatia wins: If Croatia beats Italy, it will have four points and has a chance of qualifying as runner up if Albania loses to Spain. If Albania also wins, then Croatia and Italy will be level on points and it will go down to goal difference.

Are Croatia knocked out? ›

Seriously, what a finish! In every possible way. On an incredibly dramatic night in Leipzig, we saw the end of a glorious era of Croatian football, with Luka Modric's men knocked out of Euro 2024 thanks to the most sublime finish from Mattia Zaccagni with the last kick of the game.

Did Italy advance in the Euro Cup? ›

Zaccagni scores in injury time for Italy to advance at Euro 2024 with draw against Croatia. Italy substitute Mattia Zaccagni scored in the last minute of stoppage time for Italy to advance to the knockout stage of Euro 2024 after drawing Croatia 1-1 on Monday.

Is Italy through to Euro 2024? ›

Croatia 1-1 Italy: Zaccagni steers Azzurri into last 16. UEFA EURO 2024. UEFA.com.

What channel is Croatia v Italy on? ›

The BBC have TV and radio coverage tonight - all available on this page. Croatia v Italy is live on BBC One with build-up from 19:30 BST.

Is it OK to use euro in Croatia? ›

Can you use euros in Croatia? Yes - and you must, as it's now the national currency. The Euro was adopted in January 2023.

Is round of 16 knockout stage? ›

After 36 matches, Euro 2024 has progressed to the all-important knockout stage, starting with the round of 16 on Saturday.

Has Italy ever beaten Croatia in football? ›

Croatia became an independent nation in 1991 and, despite Italy being a European football powerhouse, they are actually unbeaten against the Azzurri, managing three wins and five draws.

Who will win between Italy and Croatia? ›

Croatia Prediction. We are predicting Italy to win, with a 40.8% chance of winning this match, based on the moneyline.

Can Croatia advance in Euro 2024? ›

Mattia Zaccagni curled home a 98th-minute equaliser as defending champions Italy booked a round-of-16 spot at Euro 2024 on Monday with a 1-1 draw against Croatia, whose tournament hopes were left hanging by a thread.

Has Croatia been eliminated? ›

🚨 Croatia are now officially ELIMINATED from Euro.

Which team qualified for Euro 2024? ›

Through to the Round of 16 (as top two in groups): Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, England, Denmark, Austria, France, Romania, Belgium, Portugal, Turkey. Through to the Round of 16 (as best third-placed teams): Slovenia, Netherlands, Slovakia, Georgia.

Is Croatia changing to the euro? ›

On the first of January 2023, Croatia became the 20th country to join the eurozone. The kuna, the local currency, has been replaced by the euro. With the single currency, the country hopes to make its economy stronger and more stable, and to improve the standard of living of its inhabitants.

Is Modric playing Euro 2024? ›

Luka Modric described Croatia's 1-1 draw with Italy in the Euro 2024 group stage as 'cruel' as he also quashed speculation that he would retire after the tournament. The Real Madrid midfielder said he would "keep playing on", but that "there will probably be a time I'll have to hang up my boots."

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