Thanks to a last-second goal, Italy qualified for the round of 16 to the detriment of Croatia, who were almost eliminated. Spain beat Albania with a largely overhauled team.
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The pride of Italy, saved by the bell
Clearly, this Euro loves goals in the final moments. 24 hours after Hungary faced Scotland, Italy, in turn, changed their destiny at the end of added time. The providential man bears the name of Mattia Zaccagni, author of a shot into the top corner as sublime as it is important in the 98th minute of play. Long neck and neck with Croatia, the Nazionale chased the score from the hour of play, without panicking or giving up even if the offensive sector lacked inspiration. And it was ultimately the Lazio player, who entered late (81st), who turned into the savior of a nation which was then beginning to take out the calculators. Certain of finishing second thanks to this snatched draw (1-1), the Italians will challenge Switzerland in the round of 16, Saturday at 6 p.m. A meeting which promises to be thrilling for the Gianluigi Donnarumma gang, still imperial on its line Monday evening.
Spain’s replacements are there
Already qualified after its success against Italy (1-0) and assured of finishing at the top of group B, La Roja played the game against Albania which coveted the round of 16. The ten changes made at kick-off by coach Luis de la Fuente (Yamal, Morata, Carvajal on the bench, Rodri suspended…) did not in any way disrupt the protagonist game of Spain, dominant in the opposing camp and technically oiled. From the kick-off, the Spaniards imposed control on the match, multiplying crosses and situations. So much so that the Albanian miracle never seemed possible. In terms of individual satisfaction, Ferran Torres shone up front by scoring the only goal of the match, on a nice serve from Dani Olmo. Alejandro Grimaldo animated his left lane while the replacement goalkeeper, David Raya, became the last defense against Broja in the second half. All the lights are green for an attractive Spain, before facing a better third in the round of 16, next Sunday (9 p.m.)
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Croatia and Luka Modric on the brink of the abyss
The distress of Luka Modric, shot down on the Croatian sidelines at the time of the Italian goal, spoke volumes about the disillusionment that the third in the last World Cup has just suffered. Croatia needed a victory to reach the round of 16 of the Euro for the third time in a row. A victory that it held, since the decisive action of its historic captain, frustrated by Donnarumma from the penalty spot then decisive in foxing the surfaces a few seconds later. But in the final action of the match, the “Vatreni” defense was trapped, just like against Albania (2-2) five days ago. Despite a conquering state of mind and generally high-level individuals (Kovacic, Brozovic, Gvardiol), Croatia cracked and finished 3rd in group B, with only 2 points. It would now take a miracle for it to scratch a ticket best third. The return to Zagreb is, unfortunately for Zlatko Dalic and his players, much closer.
Read alsoEuro 2024: Italy in 8th after its draw against Croatia, Spain secures against Albania
Albania did not have the weapons
To achieve a historic qualification for the round of 16 of the Euro, Albania needed an exploit against Spain. It didn’t happen even though La Roja fielded its B team. Until the hour mark, the march seemed too high for the Albanians, who only had four shots on target in 90 minutes. Attempts saved by the Spanish goalkeeper Raya, the striker Broja being the unfortunate of the evening. The Chelsea player could have equalized twice (62nd, 92nd) but the goal was denied to him. A sign that Albania did not have the means to go further, in a so-called “death group” before the start of the competition. However, the selection led by the Brazilian Sylvinho, who finished with 1 point, will not have to be ashamed of its performances. During three matches against European leaders, she tried to play and win, with obviously a quality deficit on paper. Anything but a stooge.
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