A sensational goal 20 seconds from the end: Mattia Zaccagni became the hero of a European Championship that seemed disastrous.
After the incredible European Championship victory in 2021this year’s Italy seems to be a distant relative of the one led by Mancini. Not so much in the players, but in the ability to express football during the matches that count.
The debut with Albania had given rise to hope, but the performance against the Spain had severely reduced the team’s hopes. In the match played against Croatia there were two results available to pass the group.
The approach to the match was not the easiest with Spalletti who had to find a solution to a situation that was becoming complicated. On Monday evening the whole nation was in front of the screen cheering for his eleven.
In the end, the match between Croatia and Italy ended with a thrilling 1-1 drawthanks to the decisive goal scored by Mattia Zaccagni just 20 seconds from the end.
The passage to the eighth finals
The equalizer, scored by Zaccagni at 98′sparked the jubilation of the Italians, while Croatia had to accept the bitter reality of elimination. The whole thing takes on even more negative overtones if we consider that, in all likelihood, it was of the last match with the national team Croatian of the golden ball Luka Modric.
The match, held as part of the third and final day of group B, also featured the simultaneous victory of Spain over Albania 0-1. The match was a succession of emotions, with Italy risking conceding a goal from a penaltybut Donnarumma he saved Modric’s shot, who then redeemed himself by scoring the opening goal for Croatia. Italy responded with determination, and in the final, when all seemed lost, Zaccagni’s goal arrived which fixed the result at 1-1, giving the Azzurri the pass to the next phase of the tournament.
Zaccagni’s emotion
Born in Cesena on 16 June 1995, Zaccagni began his career in the youth sector of Bellaria Igea Marinamaking his first team debut in 2012. After a move to Veronaspent periods on loan at Venice et al Citadel before returning to Verona, where he stood out for his performances.
In 2021, it was purchased by Laziowhere he continued to prove his worth, becoming one of the key players of the team and making his debut in the Italian national team in 2022. The goal against Croatia was his first with the national team. Moved, he presented himself in front of the journalists emphasizing the emotion and the importance of a network that millions of Italians will remember for years to come.
