Luka Modric missed another point and Croatia drew two games in a row to qualify for Italy's second place in the group

Brother Bao loves football

2024-06-25 10:12Published in Zhejiang

Group B, with Spain, Italy and Croatia, is considered the group of death in this European Cup, and in the final round of the group stage, Spain defeated Albania 1-0 to win the group with a complete winning record, and Albania only accumulated one point from three games and was eliminated at the bottom of the group. In another more closely watched game, Italy drew 1:1 with Croatia, accumulated 4 points to qualify as the second in the group, and will face Switzerland in the 1/8 finals; Croatia, who were drawn in stoppage time in two consecutive games, finished third in the group with two points, and qualification will depend on the results of the other groups.

Italy and Croatia were a big game for both teams, as both teams created plenty of chances in the game, but the attacking players failed to capitalise on them. Italy had more shots, but the vast majority of them were far from goal, and even gave Croatia a penalty; However, Croatia's Luka Modric missed a penalty and although he later scored to give his team the lead, he was still equalized in stoppage time, and the dramatic result was both happy and worried.

Both teams had a chance to score in the first half, but neither team broke the deadlock. In the second half, when both teams prefer to score, whoever makes a mistake will be punished. In the 52nd minute, Kramaric's shot from a teammate's pass hit Frattesi's hand, and the player obviously opened his hand, so the video referee prompted that the referee finally awarded a penalty. At the crucial moment, Italian captain Donnarumma saved a penalty from Luka Modric, and the goalkeeper once again showed his strength.

However, the good times were short-lived, as the Italian backline made another mistake and conceded a goal. In the 55th minute, Croatia's attack advanced to the front, teammates crossed the ball to the penalty area, Budimir's direct shot was saved by Donnarumma, Modric made a supplementary goal, and the veteran still relied on his own experience to help the team take the lead, for Modric who missed a penalty, this is also to make up for it.

There has been no shortage of goals and equalisers at this European Championship, and this game was no exception. Eight minutes of stoppage time was played, and it was a long stoppage time that finally gave Italy the goal that came their way. In the eighth minute of stoppage time, Italian defender Calafiori advanced down the middle and distributed the ball to Zaccagni, who scored the ball and Croatia did not hold out until the last minute. Although the Croatian players thought that the eight-minute stoppage time was too exaggerated after the game, it was their own defense that slackened at the last minute that gave Italy a chance. This is also the second consecutive game in which Croatia have been held to a late draw in stoppage time after being scored by Albania in the fifth minute of stoppage time in the second half of the last game.

For the Italian team, although they qualified as the second in the group, the team's performance in the three group games was not satisfactory, especially in the defense, there were repeated problems. In the first group stage against the weakest Albania, they also conceded a goal first and then scored two goals in a row to reverse the opponent, and in the second game, Spain gave the opponent an own goal, and this game sent a penalty. Although it has always been a tradition for Italy to stumble in major tournaments, but now Italy is not only unfavorable in attack, but also has made mistakes in defense for 3 consecutive games, and if you want to defend your title, you must first pass the 1/8 final Switzerland.

As for Croatia, although they are only third in the group with only 2 points, they still have a chance to qualify for the third place in the group with the best 4 results, depending on the situation of the other groups, although there is a chance, but it is unlikely.

Note: The picture comes from the Internet.

View original image 59K

• 

• 

• 

•