Italy Advances in Euro 2024 in dramatic fashion after a thrilling 1-1 draw against Croatia in their final Group B match on Monday night. This nail-biting encounter, decided by a last-minute equalizer from substitute Mattia Zaccagni, sends the Azzurri through to the knockout stages while leaving Croatia's fate hanging in the balance.

A Tense Battle 

The first half unfolded as a tense tactical battle, with both sides struggling to break each other down. However, the deadlock was broken in the 54th minute in a moment of individual brilliance from Luka Modric. The evergreen Croatian midfielder, at the ripe age of 38, saw his penalty saved by the ever-reliable Gianluigi Donnarumma. But in a display of remarkable composure, Modric pounced on the rebound and slotted the ball home, etching his name in history as the oldest scorer ever at the European Championship.

This goal sent the Croatian fans into raptures, and it seemed their team was on course to potentially eliminate the defending champions. The ever-influential Modric orchestrated Croatia's attacks, dictating the tempo and frustrating the Italian midfield. Yet, Italy, determined to advance in Euro 2024, refused to surrender.

Italy Ramps Up the Pressure for Euro 2024 Glory

Italy boss Luciano Spalletti made tactical adjustments, introducing fresh legs in attack. This change in approach injected urgency into the Italian play, and they began to dominate possession. Alessandro Bastoni came agonizingly close with a headed effort that sailed just over the bar, a warning sign for Croatia.

As the clock ticked down and the threat of elimination loomed large for Italy's Euro 2024 hopes, they pressed relentlessly. Their persistence finally paid off in the most dramatic fashion imaginable. In the eighth minute of stoppage time, Zaccagni, who had just entered the fray, unleashed a curling shot that nestled perfectly inside the far post. The Italian bench erupted in jubilation, celebrating their dramatic advancement in Euro 2024. Croatian hearts sank as their Euro 2024 dreams appeared to be shattered.

Mixed Emotions After a Tense Encounter

The final whistle brought an end to a captivating encounter that showcased both the beauty and brutality of football. While Italy celebrated their hard-fought advancement in Euro 2024, Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic expressed his frustration with the lengthy stoppage time awarded at the end. "You can't have eight minutes of added time after that game, it's nonsense," Dalic said. "There weren't so many breaks in play, or so many fouls to justify that."

Spalletti, on the other hand, acknowledged their shortcomings but emphasized the importance of the result in securing Italy's advancement in Euro 2024. "We were a bit soft at times in the game, we didn't produce our best football," Spalletti admitted. "But when a draw is enough to advance in Euro 2024, you take it."

Looking Ahead as Italy Advances in Euro 2024

With this dramatic draw, Italy secures a place in the round of 16, where they will face Switzerland at Berlin's Olympiastadion next Saturday. Meanwhile, Croatia's Euro 2024 journey remains uncertain. With just two points from their group stage matches, they have to wait and see if they can qualify as one of the best third-placed teams.

This dramatic encounter serves as a reminder that the beautiful game can produce moments of sheer exhilaration and crushing disappointment in the blink of an eye. As the Euro 2024 knockout stages approach, Italy will be hoping to build on this momentum, while Croatia can only wait and hope their Euro 2024 adventure continues.