Mattia Zaccagni saved Italy with an agonizing purpose towards Croatia

||AP Company / AP Photograph

**“La Azzurri” superior to the spherical of 16 of the Euro Cup after tying 1-1 towards the Balkans**

Substitute Mattia Zaccagni scored within the remaining minute of stoppage time to offer Italy a spot within the spherical of 16 of the European Championship with a 1-1 draw towards Croatia yesterday afternoon.

Croatia appeared to have one foot within the knockout part as second within the group after the everlasting Luka Modric’s purpose within the second half.

However Zaccagni scored first on the far submit simply seconds from the top, capping a determined response from the reigning European champions.

Italy wanted some extent to advance. Croatia, however, wanted to win it doesn’t matter what to remain alive. They had been left with two factors after their three video games and should wait how the accounts are resolved within the different teams to entry as among the best third events.

Italy will face Switzerland within the spherical of 16 this Saturday on the Olympiastadion in Berlin, the place the ultimate will likely be on July 14.

Modric scored 33 seconds after Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma saved a penalty, changing into the oldest participant to attain a purpose within the historical past of the event.

At 38 years and 289 days previous, the Actual Madrid midfielder capitalized on a rebound within the fifty fifth minute to open the scoring.

The document was held by Ivica Vastic, who was 38 years and 257 days previous, when he scored for Austria towards Poland at Euro 2008.

After Modric missed his penalty, Croatia attacked instantly and Donnarumma repelled a shot from Ante Budimir, the veteran midfielder capitalizing on the rebound within the fifty fifth minute.

Within the reply, Alessandro Bastoni headed simply over the crossbar. Italy went all out with the necessity to rating a purpose. A defeat uncovered the “Azzurri” to being out of the event, relying on the leads to different video games.

Like all his teammates, Modric defended the distinction tooth and nail till he was substituted within the eightieth minute, receiving a standing ovation. However Italy persevered and located the purpose within the 98th with Zaccgani’s saving shot.

SPAIN CLOSED THE GROUP PHASE PERFECTLY

Spain modified nearly its whole lineup and maintained its good tempo within the Euro Cup by beating Albania 1-0 yesterday, which was eradicated.

Together with his place already secured by successful Group B, Spanish coach Luis de la Fuente made 10 modifications to his beginning lineup.

Spain gained all three group matches at a European Championship for the primary time since 2008, when it gained the event.

A purpose from Ferran Torres within the thirteenth minute was sufficient to safe the three factors and goalkeeper David Raya’s stoppage-time save towards Armando Broja ensured that Spain accomplished the primary part of the event with out conceding a purpose.

Albania wanted a minimum of a draw to have any hope of qualifying for the spherical of 16 for the primary time, whilst among the best third events. The defeat meant inserting them in final place.

Albania’s failure to beat Spain meant England, France and the Netherlands secured qualification for the spherical of 16, no matter what occurs of their remaining group matches. All of these groups have 4 factors from two video games and would qualify as a minimum of among the best third events.

Spain will play its spherical of 16 match this Sunday in Cologne towards one of many third-place groups.

MBAPPÉ COULD PLAY AGAINST POLAND (BOX)

French star Kylian Mbappé appears to be nearer to returning to the Euro Cup. The Actual Madrid striker suffered a damaged nostril in France’s opening 1-0 win over Austria and didn’t come off the bench within the 0-0 draw with the Netherlands final Friday.

France coach Didier Deschamps didn’t reveal a lot yesterday when requested if Mbappé was accessible for the Group D finale towards Poland at this time, the place he must put on a protecting masks.