Croatia 1-1 Italy summary: score, goals, highlights | Euro 2024

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We're going to leave it here. Many thanks for joining!

Be sure to join us tomorrow for the conclusion to Groups C and D: Roddy Cons will be bringing you live-text coverage of England vs Slovenia, while Andy Restrepo will have minute-by-minute commentary of France vs Poland. 

Bye!

Can Croatia still qualify?

Croatia are currently only the fifth-best of the third-placed teams, with four groups still to finish.

According to the BBC's calculations, it is still possible for the Croats to move into the top four third-placers - but they need quite a sequence of results to make it happen.

The Beeb says Croatia will qualify if: England beat Slovenia by three or more goals, Denmark beat Serbia, Turkey beat the Czech Republic and Portugal beat Georgia.

When do Spain and Italy play in the last 16?

Spain will face the third-placed team from one of Groups D, E or F in the last 16, while Italy take on Group A runners-up Switzerland.

Italy's clash with the Swiss will be at Berlin's Olympiastadion on Saturday 29 June.

Spain's last-16 game is to be played at Cologne's RheinEnergieStadion on Sunday 30 June.

Group B: how it finishes

So, Spain win the group with nine points out of nine, and Italy join La Roja in the last 16. Luciano Spalletti's men finish with five points.

Croatia end up with just two points, and Albania bring up the rear with one point.

Two stoppage-time equalisers - today against Italy, and in game two against Albania - have cost the Croats.

Zaccagni makes history with crucial goal

According to Spanish stats guru Mister Chip, Zaccagni's equaliser is the latest regular-time goal Italy have ever scored at the Euros.

Modric makes Euros history to no avail

The degree of the utter devastation that's on the Croatia players' faces is quite something.

Immediately after Zaccagni's goal, the cameras cut to Modric on the bench. His face was set in as textbook a christ-you-must-be-kidding-me expression as you'll ever see.

Modric had become the oldest player ever to score at the European Championship - but his goal isn't enough to earn Croatia a third-straight spot in the Euros knockouts.

And that's full time in Leipzig!

With the very final kick of the game, Italy have snatched the point they needed to secure second place in Group B.

Croatia, having been within touching distance of a place in the last 16, are almost certainly heading out. They finish third, but two points surely won't be enough to be one of the best third-placed teams.

Faglioli is booked for a foul on Gvardiol.

Croatia are three minutes from a famous win - and a place in the last 16.

Juranovic bursts forward, with plenty of men in red and white with him. On the edge of the Italian box, he squares it to Ivanusec, who's in a great position to shoot. He gets his control all wrong, though, and Italy win it back.

It's all over in Düsseldorf, by the way. Spain have beaten Albania and finish the group with nine points from nine. The Albanians will come bottom with one point.

That's a priceless free-kick for Croatia, won by Budimir deep inside the Italy half.

Croatia will be in no rush at all to take this one.

Now Calafiori goes into Danny Makkelie's book, for a foul on Juranovic.

Brozovic is booked for a foul on Bastoni.

Italy get the ball quickly back into circulation, and Scamacca drives towards the Croatia box and shoots. Brozovic is again the Croatia player making himself a nuisance, hurling himself in the way of the strike. He deflects it away from the target.

We're into the first of eight minutes of time added on in Leipzig.

Croatia replace Kramaric with Juranovic.

This is exactly what Croatia need to do. On the right wing, Stanisic, Kramaric and Majer combine neatly to keep the ball and push that clock a little closer to the 90.

Stanisic finally loses it when it runs out for a goal-kick.

Chiesa threads a low ball into the Croatia box, but it's cleared.

Back come Italy, however. Retegui feeds it back out to Chiesa, who fizzes another low ball into the box. It's a better cross this time, hit with real venom down the corridor of uncertainty.

Scamacca and Frattesi both hurl themselves at it, but can't connect!

Now Majer plays it to Brozovic, and very nearly collects the return in a lovely shooting spot at the top of the box. Majer is just second to it, though.

Indeed, Budimir is almost in on Donnarumma there. It's not the easiest passage of play to describe: basically, the ball pinballed into Budimir's path inside the Italy box, but Calafiori was there in the nick of time to nip it off the striker's toes.

Croatia look much more comfortable now. They had to weather a bit of an Italian storm for a good 25 minutes after Modric's goal, but the Croats have begun to enjoy more of the ball.

Zaccagni is immediately scythed down by Stanisic, who is booked.

Italy also shuffle their pack, bringing Darmian and Jorginho off for Zaccagni and Faglioli.

Croatia replace Modric, to huge applause, with Lovro Majer.

Croatia have barely had a sniff of the ball since going ahead, but now they manage to get their foot on it again.

They very nearly create a second goal, too. Modric plays it to Brozovic, who whips a cross into the middle. Budimir arrives at pace to meet it, but can't quite get there in time!

Pongracic gives away a free-kick to Italy and is booked for his troubles. The Italians take it quickly and look to build another attack, but succeed only in losing it. 

Croatia are about to make another sub.

Di Lorenzo sends a low ball forward that Croatia should deal with, but don't.

Chiesa turns the ball into Retegui, who has found a pocket of space just inside the Croatia box. Illegally so, though. He's flagged offside.

A quarter of an hour left. As things stand, Croatia are claiming Group B's second automatic spot - and are on course to stretch their unbeaten record against the Italians to nine games in all competitions.

Italy throw an extra striker into the fray, bringing on Scamacca for Raspadori.

Ivanusec, only just on, has already been booked, for an offence that I must confess I missed.

Raspadori takes... and it deflects off Sutalo's head and behind for a corner.

Croatia deal with said corner, but the ball is immediately in Italy's possession once more.

Gvardiol shoves Frattesi over as the Italian chests the ball down just outside of the Croatia box.

It's a bit of a cheap foul, and Italy have a very decent free-kick chance here.

Perisic and Ivanusec are on for Croatia, with Sucic and Kovacic replaced.

Italy are laying siege to the Croatia box, with the Vatreni defence lined up in wait.

Croatia are about to make a change.

Back come Italy, sending a ball into the Croatia box from the right.

The cross drops to Darmian at the far post, in space to shoot - but he dallies! He's closed down and the chance is lost.

Italy press for a leveller.

From the left-hand channel, Chiesa slips the ball inside to Frattesi. He, in turn, tries to clip it into Retegui, who's waiting just inside the box. He can't find him.

Modric was shown a yellow card for a foul on Frattesi a couple of minutes ago, by the way.

Bastoni heads over! The defender scored to get Italy level against Albania on matchday one, but he couldn't do the same there. He rises highest to meet a right-wing corner, but can't keep his effort down. He was well placed, too.

Group B as it stands

As things now stand, Croatia are in second and heading through automatically.

Italy, the defending champions, are in third on three points right now. That might be enough for them to go through; it might not, though.

Group B standings:

1. Spain: 9 pts

2. Croatia: 4 pts

3. Italy: 3 pts

4. Albania: 1 pt

Italy respond with a substitution. Federico Chiesa is on, with Dimarco making way.

Penalty saved!

Modric sidefoots his kick low towards Donnarumma's left-hand corner, and the Italy keeper gets down to beat it out! What an opportunity spurned.

But wait...

Penalty given!

Modric to take...

Croatia are screaming for a penalty, and Danny Makkelie is going to have a look at it!

From the left-hand corner of the box, Kramaric wraps his right boot around a shot that clearly ricochets off the outstretched left arm of Frattesi.

Modric drifts in from the right and clips a trademark, outside-of-the-boot pass into Kramaric, who has peeled off into space to receive. What is less trademark about the pass is its direction, though: Modric hits it just a little bit too long.

Back come Croatia, Modric slipping the ball into Kramaric on the left-hand side of the box. Kramaric tries to Cruyff-turn his way into space to shoot, but is dispossessed.

In short order, though, Croatia have the ball once more. They have started this second half the stronger.

Italy start on the front foot, but when Gvardiol wins the ball back on the left flank, the Manchester City man is suddenly barrelling forward, with the Italian defence backpedalling furiously.

Gvardiol tries to thread a low ball through for Budimir to run into the box, but the newly introduced striker is run a little wide.

Croatia recycle it out to Stanisic, but his cross from the right is overhit. It runs out for an Italy throw-in.

Peeeep! Back underway.

Indeed: Frattesi is on for Pellegrini.

Croatia are also making a change, replacing Pasalic with Budimir.

Players coming back out!

The two teams are just now emerging from the tunnel in Leipzig.

It looks like Italy are going to bring on Davide Frattesi.

Who will Group B's last-16 qualifiers get in the knockouts?

As group winners, Spain will play the third-placed team from one of Groups A, D, E and F.

Group B's runners-up will face Switzerland, who came second in Group A.

And if Group B's third-placed team makes it through to the last 16, they will face either Group F winners Portugal, or the top team in Group E.

It's anybody’s guess who will end up winning Group E, which features Belgium, Romania, Ukraine and Slovakia: ahead of the final round of games in that section, all four teams are tied on three points.

Group B as things stand

With Italy and Croatia drawing, and Spain 1-0 up on Albania, the Italians currently sit second on four points.

The Croats are in third with two points - a haul which, as I say, won't be enough to take them through - and Albania are bottom with just the singular point to their name.

Spain heading for third win in three

While it's still scoreless in Leipzig, Spain lead Albania 1-0 in Group B's other matchday-three game. Ferran Torres' goal, scored after 13 minutes in Düsseldorf, is the difference between the sides.

Already through as group winners, La Roja are on course for maximum points.

Peeep peeep peeep! That's half time. Goalless it remains.

As things stand, Italy are going through in second, with Croatia in third and almost certainly out.

From the left, Pasalic clips a ball into Brozovic's run into the box, but it's too long for the midfielder. The pass bounces off the turf and through for a goal-kick.

One minute of time added on.

A case in point: for a good minute or so, Italy knock it about amongst themselves around the halfway line, in no apparent rush to actually attack the Croatia goal.

With half-time looming, you slightly get the feeling both teams are now prioritising getting to the break without conceding.

A definite lull in the game right now.

Italy's Mateo Retegui in action against Croatia's Josip Stanisic (centre) and Marin Pongracic in Leipzig.

Brozovic tries to scoop a ball into Kramaric's run into the Italy box, but the pass is easily cut out by Calafiori. It was rather ambitious.

Now Pellegrini gets the ball out of his feet on the left-hand edge of the Croatia box, before shooting low. It's not very firmly hit, though, and Livakovic saves with relative ease.

Di Lorenzo bursts forward on the right, and tries to dink it inside to Retegui, who is lurking with intent on the shoulder of the final man. Di Lorenzo's ball is intercepted, however.

Croatia come at Italy again. Pasalic drifts a cross into the Italian penalty box, but it's dealt with.

It's oh so finely poised in Leipzig.

For the first time in what feels like a while, Croatia keep the ball for a sustained period in the Italy half.

Having popped the ball about in front of the Italian defence, Croatia up the tempo and slip it out to Modric, who's in a position to square from the right-hand byline. 

Donnarumma dives to get a hand to Modric's cross, pushing it right back into the danger area. Fortunately for Italy, nobody in a red and white shirt can get a boot to the loose ball, and Italy clear.

And the corner leads to Italy's best chance of the night so far! It's a fabulous save by Livakovic.

From the left, Italy work the ball over to the right to Barella, who clips the ball over to the back post. His cross meets the run of Bastoni, who thunders a header towards goal - but can't beat Livakovic! The Italians are very much in the ascendancy right now.

Again Italy get Retegui into a shooting position. He peels off into space on the left-hand side of the box, where he finds the angle closed down by a gaggle of Croatia defenders. He wins a corner, though.

Sucic drives over the halfway line and tries to clip an angled low ball into the run of Pasalic to his right, but it's cut out.

Italy take control of the ball once more, and it definitely feels like the defending champions are on top right now.

Another opportunity for Retegui! This has been a good couple of minutes for Italy.

Controlling a ball from the right, the striker shoots from the penalty spot is deflected off target! Another corner, which this time comes to zip.

There's a chance for Retegui! Calafiori delivers a fine cross into the box from the left, and Retegui leaps to meet it at the back post - but it's deflected just off target!

Old Lady shut out for first time since '98

Here's an interesting stat: according to Opta, this is the first time since the 1998 World Cup that Italy have named a line-up at a major tournament that doesn't include a Juventus player.

Just under 20 minutes gone in Leipzig. As things stand, that fierce Sucic shot is the closest we've come to a goal.

Dimarco whips in a corner from the right for Italy, but Croatia deal with it and get Modric scuttling up the left wing. Barella is on hand to snuff out the danger, though.

That Spain goal is particularly good news for Croatia - if it stays that way in Düsseldorf, a win will definitely be enough for the Vatreni to finish second.

As for the Italians, they'd be able to lose and still finish third if Spain avoid defeat against the Albanians.

Kramaric does well to jink inside his man and feed a low ball across the face of goal - but Darmian is in position to turn it away.

In Düsseldorf, Spain have taken the lead against Albania. Barcelona's Ferran Torres has scored with a low finish off the post.

And when Italy win it back, they look to hit the Croats with a quick break.

Dimarco is released into plenty of space on the left wing, where he delivers a head-height ball towards the near post. He finds Pellegrini, who throws himself at the cross, but can't direct his header goalwards.

Back come Croatia, who have dominated the possession so far. Indeed, the most recent stat we have from Opta is an 88%-12% split.

Dalic's men keep it for a long period in front of a set Italian defence. Modric tries to jink his way into an area to do damage on the corner of the box, but can't find a way through - and the Croats have to turn backwards.

Pellegrini wins the ball back and tries to feed it forward, but gives it away. 

A moment later, though, Italy win it back and create their first attack of real substance. After neat interplay, it's worked out right to Di Lorenzo, who whips a low ball into the danger area, towards Retegui. It's cut out, but that was bright attacking play by the Azzurri.

There's the first shot of the night - and it's a fine save by Donnarumma!

From 25 yards or so out, Sucic lets fly with dipping drive that's hit at real pace. Donnarumma moves quickly to dive to his right and palm it behind! The corner comes to nought, but Croatia are quickly back on the ball.

I'll make sure to keep you abreast of any changes in the score over in Düsseldorf, by the way. 

Back in Leipzig, Croatia make their first real incursion into the Italy half, sending a long ball down the right-hand channel for Kramaric to chase. He can't reach it, though, and it runs out for a goal-kick.

It's all Croatia possession in the first couple of minutes, albeit the ball is yet to come within a country mile of the final third.

It looks like Italy are indeed playing with a back three, with Darmian operating as the right-sided centre-back and Di Lorenzo at right wing-back.

Peeeeep! We're underway in Leipzig.

Final reminder of the teams

And that’s the anthems done! Both belted out. 

Here’s a final look at the line-ups.

Croatia:

Livakovic, Stanisic, Sutalo, Pongracic, Gvardiol, Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic, Pasalic, Kramaric, Sucic.

Italy:

Donnarumma, Di Lorenzo, Calafiori, Bastoni, Darmian, Dimarco, Pellegrini, Barella, Jorginho, Raspadori, Retegui.

Five minutes to go!

Out come the teams!

Time for some anthems.

Who is the VAR in today's game?

The video assistant in Leipzig will also be a Dutchman. Rob Dieperink is on VAR duty.

Who is the referee for Croatia vs Italy?

Today's match referee will be the Netherlands' Danny Makkelie. His assistant referees will be his compatriots Hessel Steegstra and Jan de Vries.

Ten minutes to kick-off in Leipzig!

The warm-ups have concluded in Leipzig, where it's almost time to go.

Croatia fans ahead of kick-off at Red Bull Arena.

Italy favourites today, per Opta

Despite Croatia's unbeaten record against Italy, stats specialists Opta are backing the Azzurri for victory tonight. Only just, though.

Opta's 'supercomputer' gives Italy a 39.5% chance of victory, while a Croatia win is rated at 32.1% There is a 28.4% chance of a draw, Opta say.

What is the teams' overall H2H record?

Since the country gained independence from the former Yugoslavia in the early 1990s, Croatia are unbeaten in all competitions against Italy.

In eight meetings, the Croats' record against the Italians reads: W3 D5 L0.

How many times have the teams met at a tournament?

This will be Croatia and Italy’s third meeting at a major tournament. So far, the Croats have had the upper hand.

Croatia were 2-1 winners in a group-stage clash at the 2002 World Cup, before the teams also met in the round-robin phase at Euro 2012. They drew 1-1.

Croatia chasing back-to-back-to-back Euros knockouts

Croatia are out to reach the knockout stages at the Euros for the third straight tournament.

They haven’t failed to qualify from their group since 2012 - when they were also in a section with Spain and Italy.

Incidentally, although have regularly made it out of their group, Croatia are yet to win a knockout game at a Euros finals.

"River of Croatia fans"

There was nothing but red and white on this approach road to Red Bull Arena a little earlier, as Croatia fans arrived for today's crunch clash.

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My colleague Calum Roche has the full lowdown on the tiebreakers used at in the Euro 2024 group stage.

Four points likely enough for both Croatia and Albania

Past history tells us that Croatia and Albania should both go through if they each finish on four points.

As for the tiebreakers used to decide who would come second and who would come third: UEFA uses teams' head-to-head record as its primary criteria, but Croatia and Albania drew. 

That means that their overall Group B records would come into play instead - starting with goal difference.

On that score, Albania currently have the upper hand: they are on -1, while Croatia are on -3.

How many points do third-placed teams need to qualify?

Since the 24-team format was introduced at the Euros in 2016, four points has always been enough to be one of the best third-placed teams. Get three, and you might just go through.

At Euro 2016, two third-placers with four points reached the last 16, as did two with three. At Euro 2020, it was three with four points and only one with three.

What do Croatia need to qualify?

Semi-finalists at the last World Cup, Croatia have just one point to their name after two games.

They fell to a 3-0 opening defeat to Spain, before playing out an entertaining 2-2 draw with Albania - a game in which they conceded a stoppage-time equaliser. That goal could end up being very costly indeed

Croatia must beat Italy to have any chance of going through. If Albania also win, it will come down to tiebreakers for second place.

If Croatia fail to win, the best they can hope for is third place. That would require them to take a point and hope for an Albania defeat. However, a total haul of two points would not be enough to take them through as one of the four best third-placed finishers.

Dalic: "We haven't started the tournament well"

And Croatia's Dalic was also expected to shuffle his pack, having been critical of his team's Euros so far when he faced the media ahead of today's game.

"We haven't started the tournament well," he said. "We have not been at our true level. We are conceding goals too easily. In Qatar [at World Cup 2022], we conceded one goal in the group stage, and now we've conceded five in two matches.”

Spalletti: I was wrong not to make changes vs Spain

Changes had been expected in both teams.

Speaking to reporters yesterday, Spalletti openly admitted he should not have named an unchanged team in Italy's defeat to Spain: “I made a mistake in not making some changes between the first and second games. So this time, I think I need to make some."

Croatia and Italy both make changes

Both head coaches have opted to make a few changes.

Croatia boss Zlatko Dali has made four: he brings Josip Stanisix and Marin Pongracic into the defence, and Mario Pasalic and Luka Sucic into the attack. Josip Juranovic, Ivan Perisic, Bruno Petkovic and Lovro Majer make way.

Meanwhile, Italy boss Luciano Spalletti has made a trio of changes. Matteo Darmain comes in at the back, with Giacomo Raspadori and Mateo Retegui introduced to the line-up up front. Davide Frattesi, Gianluca Scamacca and Federico Chiesa drop to the bench.

It looks like the Italians may be going with a back three.

Croatia line-up confirmed

The Croats' starting line-up is also out: Livakovic, Stanisic, Sutalo, Pongracic, Gvardiol, Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic, Pasalic, Kramaric, Sucic.

Italy line-up confirmed

Luciano Spalletti has named his XI: Donnarumma, Di Lorenzo, Calafiori, Bastoni, Darmian, Dimarco, Pellegrini, Barella, Jorginho, Raspadori, Retegui.

When did Italy last go out in the group stage?

Italy haven't failed to get out of their group at the Euros since 2004, when they finished level on points with the top two - Sweden and Denmark - but went out by virtue of tiebreakers.

In the final round of group-stage games, the Swedes and the Danes knew a 2-2 draw would send them both through - and that was how it ended.

It was a result met with disbelief and suspicious mutterings from the Italians, which is rather ironic really.

Talking of failed title defences...

Denmark also exited the Euros at the first hurdle four years after winning it, when they finished between Portugal and Croatia at Euro '96.

What really did for the Danes was a 3-0 defeat to the Croats, for whom Davor Suker was in inspired form. Any excuse to watch Suker's Hilssborough masterclass again:

Italy out to avoid unwanted feat

Italy, you may recall, are the defending champions. Tonight, they’re aiming to avoid becoming the Euros’ first tournament holders to go out in the group stage since 2008.

After their shock trophy triumph at Euro 2004, Greece finished bottom of their group four years later, having collected nul points in Austria and Switzerland.

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What does Italy need to qualify for the round of 16 at Euro 2024? Every possible outcome

My colleague Roddy Cons has more on all Italy's qualification permutations.

What do Italy need to qualify?

After a win and a defeat, Italy head into the final round of Group B games on three points. The Azzurri recovered from conceding a record-breaking early goal to beat Albania on matchday one, but were utterly played off the park by Spain in their second group game. The Italians were lucky to escape with only a 1-0 defeat.

Italy will go through as runners-up if they avoid defeat against Croatia today.

Luciano Spalletti’s men will finish bottom and go out if they lose to the Croats and Albania beat Spain. If the Italians lose and Albania don’t beat the Spaniards, they will finish third. However, three points might not be enough to go through.

Group B standings ahead of matchday three

Spain sit top of the group with six points out of six, and are already certain to go through as group winners.

The three teams below the Spaniards can all still finish anywhere in the group. A reminder that the top two in each section qualify automatically for the last 16, while the four best third-placed finishers also go through.

While Croatia and Italy are doing battle in Leipzig, Spain will be closing out their group stage against Albania in Düsseldorf.

Croatia vs Italy: welcome!

Hello! Group B comes to a close tonight - and in Leipzig in 90 minutes’ time, Italy and Croatia meet with last-16 qualification on the line. 

Only one of this big-name pair can secure an automatic place in the knockouts; indeed, it remains possible - if unlikely - that neither will.

Kick-off at Red Bull Arena is at 3pm ET/12 noon PT.