WATCH: Alessandro Bastoni misses golden opportunity to give Italy lead against Croatia in UEFA Euro 2024

Croatia played out Italy in the final group stage game of the UEFA Euro 2024. The La Nazionale having won one out of their two games started the game in a better position as they needed a draw to qualify for the knockouts as the second team from Group B. Luciano Spalletti's side started the game exactly the way it needed to be. Despite the early pressure from Croatia, they soaked in the pressure. 

During the 28th minute of the game, the Italians had their best chance of the first half during a corner from Nicolo Barella on the edge of the box, and Italy still had plenty of bodies in the penalty area. He floated a cross to the back post and Alessandro Bastoni was unmarked as he leaped for a header and connected the ball as well nearly from the 5 yards, but Dominik Livakovic somehow kept it out. 

Here's the video

📽️ - BASTONI MISSES A HUGE CHANCE! WHAT A SAVE BY LIVAKOVIC AS WELL!pic.twitter.com/GZuicnzsl6

— Football Report (@FootballReprt) June 24, 2024

Will Croatia qualify for the knockouts?

Luka Modric's side needs a win to make it through to the knockout stages. As they have only one point and sit at the bottom of the table. They had a decent chance with Luka Sucic striking out far away from the box nearly five minutes of the match, which was punched away by captain Gianluigi Donnarumma. The shot had the power of nearly 122 kmph and the big hand of the Paris Saint-Germain keeper was at the rescue. The first half ended 0-0 with the Azzurri being better placed for the knockout scenarios. 

For Spalletti's side, Bastoni was the opening goal scorer in the first game against Albania when the side was down 1-0 down as the Inter Milan defender equalised for them in the 10th minute of the game. After making a comeback and winning the first game by 2-1 the reigning champions had no answer to Spain next time out, as they would have conceded many more goals if La Roja had not missed their golden chances.