Spain won Group B at Euro 2024 and Italy grabbed second place at the end

Italy scored a late equalizer against Croatia on Monday night to move their rivals into second place in Group B Euro 2024joins Spain in the last 16.

Real Madrid legend Luka Modric had a soft penalty saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma, but hit another effort into the roof of the net moments later to put them on the brink of a top two.

However, Mattia Zaccagni bent a fine strike into the top corner to ensure the Azzurri finished on four points, two ahead of Croatia.

Modric and his teammates are now curiously waiting to see if two draws and a defeat will be enough to reach the knockout stages as one of the best third-placed sides, while Zlatko Dalic’s side must now rely on their results going forward. the remaining groups.

Croatia faced Italy at the Leipzig Stadium and Spain, who had already won Group B, faced Albania at the Dusseldorf Arena.

A slow first half between Croatia and Italy sprung to life in the second half when Modric saw his penalty blocked by Donnarumma but the Madrid star fired over after the Paris Saint-Germain stopper had headed home Ante Budimir’s effort.

La Roja took an early lead against Albania thanks to Ferran Torres’ 13th-minute effort as Luis de la Fuente opted to rest previous starters such as Pedri, Nico Williams, Lamine Yamal and Fabian Ruiz among others.

Albania improved in the second half as they battled to keep their competition alive, while Italy piled on the pressure as they tried to break even and avoid relying on being one of the best third-placed sides to reach the Last 16.

As Spain cruised to victory, Italy substitute Gianluca Scamacca came agonizingly close to equalizing in the 87th minute but was unable to connect with Federico Chiesa’s low ball across the face of the goal.

However, the leveler finally arrived in stoppage time when Riccardo Calafiori drove forward and found Zaccagni, whose shot went into the top corner to break Croatian hearts.

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