According to ESPN, Mattia Zaccagni curled home a dramatic 98th-minute equalizer as defending champions Italy secured a round-of-16 spot at Euro 2024 with a 1-1 draw against Croatia on Monday, leaving Croatia's tournament hopes hanging by a thread.
Italy, with this result, will face Switzerland, who finished second in their group after a 1-1 draw with Germany on Sunday.
Luka Modrić gave Croatia a 55th-minute lead, moments after missing a penalty. The goal seemed destined to send Croatia through until late substitute Zaccagni's stunning finish past Dominik Livaković dashed their hopes.
"It was very stressful; we kept battling until the end," Modrić said post-match. "But football was merciless with us tonight.
It is hard to describe how you feel when you lose like this. The football Gods don't always smile on you, but we need to bounce back."
The result left Italy second in Group B with four points, while Croatia, with two points, now anxiously awaits the results of other matches to see if they can advance as one of the best four third-placed sides.
Spain, who topped the group, defeated Albania 1-0 to finish with a perfect record, leaving the eliminated Albanians at the bottom with one point.
Albania's loss also guaranteed a spot in the round of 16 for England, France, and the Netherlands as the best third-placed teams.
Italy had been struggling, having lost to Spain and drawing with Albania. However, Croatia's issues converting possession into goals re-emerged, evident as they dominated the first 20 minutes without a clear threat.
Croatia were awarded a penalty early in the second half when Andrej Kramarić's shot struck Davide Frattesi's outstretched arm.
Despite Modrić missing the penalty, he quickly redeemed himself by scoring the rebound after a brilliant save from Gianluigi Donnarumma.
At 38 years and 289 days, Modrić became the oldest scorer in European Championship history, but Croatia's joy was short-lived as Zaccagni's late goal changed the game's fate.