LEIPZIG, Germany : Holders Italy looked like they would have to sweat on prolonging their stay at Euro 2024 before substitute Mattia Zaccagni chose the perfect moment to score his first international goal and snatch a 1-1 draw with Croatia deep into added time.
Soccer Football - Euro 2024 - Group B - Croatia v Italy - Leipzig Stadium, Leipzig, Germany - June 24, 2024 Italy's Mattia Zaccagni celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/Lee Smith
Matteo Retegui was the man chosen up front and, while he had a couple of first-half chances deflected wide for corners, he never really found a clean shot on goal. When Italy fell behind, Spalletti was therefore forced into desperate measures. The forward had also come on against Spain but on that occasion there was no way back into a contest which, despite Italy only losing to an own-goal, was well beyond their reach.
Zaccagni showed that in spades in the 98th minute against Croatia, at a time when Italy needed a moment of magic. "You always suffer both on the bench and on the pitch, we did well to stay in the game with a great second half. We deserved this draw."
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