WATCH: Mattia Zaccagni breaks Croatia's hearts with late equaliser to send Italy through to RO16

Italy secured a last-minute equaliser against Croatia in the final Group B match of the UEFA Euro 2024, to qualify for the next round as the second-best side from the group. Mattia Zaccagni at the 98th minute sent Italy into the Round of 16 to break Croatia’s hearts. The Azzurri needed a point to ensure their second-place finish behind Spain. Italy finishes second behind Group B winners Spain, but Croatia's two points and -3 goal difference make them unlikely to rank among the best third-place teams.

The game was deadlocked until the 55th minute. Nearly five minutes into the game, Luka Sucic fired a long-range shot that captain Gianluigi Donnarumma saved. Near the 30-minute mark, Alessandro Bastoni had the best chance of the first half, but Dominik Livakovic saved his header from 5 yards. The first half was closed with 0-0 as both sides failed to capitalise on their chances.

Croatia came out strong in the second 45 minutes as they looked good on the ball and pressured higher up the pitch to look for the opener. They were paid off and awarded a penalty in the 53rd minute of the game, as Andrej Kramaric's shot struck Davide Frattesi's hand inside the box.  

Here's the video

Mattia Zaccagni aos 52 minutos do segundo tempo empata o jogo e vai classificando a Azzura para às oitavas! Croácia 1x1 Itália



FOLLOW US to watch all the goals of #EURO2024 ❤️⚽pic.twitter.com/YFjCAEZ5Er

— Papo de Boleiros 🇧🇷 (@_papoboleiros) June 24, 2024

Croatia's knockout hopes shatter

Modric missed from the spot as Donnarumma guessed the right way denying the Real Madrid midfielder to breaking the deadlock of the game. But soon after 33 seconds, the 38-year-old midfielder pounced on the chance that dropped to him in the 55th minute after the Italian goalkeeper's initial save fell into the experienced footballer who smashed it inside the top of the goal. 

Luciano Spalletti's side after conceding went out all attack and Bastoni had another chance went inches over the bar from a corner and a Raspadori free kick deflected off the wall. Calafiori went to the attack through the middle and spread it to the left, where Zaccagni curled a first-time right-footer into the far top corner from the edge of the box.