– We did not deserve that objective in opposition to him. I do not know the place the referee bought the eight minutes so as to add,” a contented Luka Modric advised HTV, in line with Croatia 24 Sat.
Modric thought he had despatched his nation by means of to the European Championship. As an alternative, the large Croatian star went from heaven to hell seconds earlier than the top.
As for Croatia, they had been main 1-0, and had been simply seconds away from a secure place within the spherical of 16. Then one thing occurred that wasn’t speculated to occur.
Seven minutes and 21 seconds into additional time, Mattia Zaccagni scored the 1-1 objective that despatched Italy by means of to the EC, and as Croatia was out of the EC.
As a result of lengthy additional time the Croats react. Purpose scorer Modric and Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic don’t perceive the place the additional time got here from.
– I wish to say that eight minutes was not justifiable as we speak. There have been no stops and few free kicks. It annoys me that Croatia will not be revered and acknowledged. We had been taking part in for much too lengthy, Dalic stated after the sport.
CRITICISM: Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic was not pleased with the referees after the vital match in opposition to Italy.
– It hurts
The coach of the nationwide staff believes that Croatia is underrated. He questions whether or not this is able to occur to different international locations comparable to Portugal and Spain.
– It hurts. It’ll proceed to harm within the coming days and months. I take the accountability if that isn’t sufficient to go on, stated Dalic.
This was not the primary match within the championship by which Croatia conceded a late objective. Days earlier than, Albania scored 5 minutes into additional time, they usually drew 2-2 in opposition to Croatia.
NRK has submitted the referee’s criticism to UEFA, however has not but obtained a response.
Croatia now have two factors and minus three on objective distinction, so quite a bit is required for them to be among the many prime 4 within the group.
The three tables proper now
Broaden/collapse the very fact field
1: Austria (two video games performed, three factors, 3-2 on objective distinction).
2: Slovakia (two video games performed, three factors, 2-2 on objective distinction).
3: Hungary (three video games performed, three factors, 2-5 on objective distinction).
4: Slovenia (two video games performed, two factors, 2-2 on objective distinction).
—
5: Croatia (three video games performed, two factors, 3-6 on objective distinction).
6: Czech Republic (two video games performed, one level, 2-3 on objective distinction).
*The highest 4 go to the spherical of 16
After Monday’s video games, they’re fifth within the desk out of three, however there may be nonetheless hope that they will sneak forward of third place in teams C and F.
– A miracle is required for them to maneuver on now, TV 2 knowledgeable Jesper Mathisen stated after the sport.
– Unimaginable drama
However within the final additional minute of the sport, the equalizer that most likely sends them out of the championship got here.
– Unimaginable drama. Soccer may be brutal, Øyvind Alsaker from TV 2 stated exactly after the late scoring.
Luka Modric, 38, who may very well be taking part in his final main league recreation for Croatia, is down after a bitter finish to the sport.
– We fought till the top, however sadly the soccer was cruel to us tonight. It’s horrible. At this time, but additionally within the earlier recreation, we conceded a late objective. Soccer usually makes you chortle about it, however different instances it makes you very unhappy, because it did as we speak in that we misplaced the best way we did. It’s troublesome to explain how me and my teammates really feel, says Modric on the press convention.
– It’s a unhappy day for us and for the Croatian nationwide staff, he stated.
Italy will face Switzerland within the spherical of 16 subsequent Saturday.
OUTLOOK: Croatia nonetheless have theoretical hope of progressing.
Photograph: Sunday Alamba/AP
However Monday’s recreation between the 2 nations will most likely be remembered as one of the vital dramatic EC video games, many didn’t think about it alongside the best way.
Wayne Rooney had this to say to the BBC at half-time:
– This was very boring.
However the recreation between Italy and Croatia on Monday night time shortly developed right into a recreation that many will bear in mind for a very long time.
The second half was solely six minutes outdated when substitute Davide Frattesi touched the ball along with his hand in his personal discipline. After a VAR test, referee Danny Makkelie was assured in his state of affairs and awarded a penalty.
– Which play, immediately in entrance of the Croatian supporters, was proven by Jesper Mathisen on Tv 2.
At this level, it regarded as if Croatia had been out of the European Championship with simply two factors.
WE: Right here Luka Modric missed a penalty. 32 seconds later he scored the objective that for a very long time appeared to have put Croatia by means of.
Photograph: Reuters
– A historic second
Captain and famous person Luka Modric stepped up and took the lead from the penalty spot, however a lot to the frustration of the Croats, the penalty was saved. Gianluigi Donnarumma.
However then the stage was set for a second that can be remembered for a very long time, in Croatia and within the soccer world generally.
Croatia gained the ball again and attacked on the correct. Ante Budimir prolonged a cross, earlier than Donnarumma once more saved brilliantly.
However on his return, penalty taker Modric emerged and smashed the ball into the again of the online with a neat end.
– Historic second, loopy second. Now that the plastic cups have hit us, we’ve got to search for cowl in Leipzig, TV 2’s Alsaker stated to deafening cheers from Croatia’s supporters.
Beer on the press stand
Modric’s objective got here simply 32 seconds after the penalty was missed. And that he, the nation’s nice soccer hero, put the ultimate touches.
– Solely in soccer are such moments doable, stated TV 2 knowledgeable Jesper Mathisen, earlier than including:
– Towels are actually being handed out within the press stand. The Swedes are sitting in entrance of us soaked in beer.
It speaks volumes in regards to the sort of second it was for the Croats.
Modric, at 38 years and 289 days, is the oldest participant ever to attain in an EC closing, statistics company Opta stories on Monday afternoon. Uefa additionally named Modric as the most effective participant on the pitch.
However all that’s most likely little comfort for the little midfield genius.
The equalizer, which most likely sends out, got here in additional time.
Man of the Match: Ferran Torres deserved credit score when he scored the one objective of the sport by means of the submit after 13 minutes. (edited)
Photograph: PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA / AFP
Spain with full management
In the identical group, Spain had been already winners of Group B earlier than Monday’s recreation, they opted to make ten modifications to the staff forward of the match in opposition to Albania. Albania needed to win in the event that they had been to have any probability of progressing within the EC.
The Spanish reserves confirmed that they needed to play and that they needed to point out. As a result of already after 13 minutes they scored when Ferran Torres put the ball within the objective.
Dani Olmo was hit within the hole and bought up with a staff from Spain shifting ahead. He performed by means of Ferran Torres who had come into midfield from his wing place. Alone with the goalkeeper, Torres made no mistake and put the ball into the objective by means of the submit rota.
– Top-of-the-line assaults directed by the EC. All the things is true for Spain right here, you see that they’re taking their time after which the stinger comes, stated TV 2 commentator knowledgeable, Yaw Amankwah.
Within the second half, Albania rallied, however couldn’t get the ball into the objective. Due to this fact, the Scots come out with just one level on this 12 months’s EC.
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24.06.2024, kl. 23.02
Up to date
25.06.2024, kl. 11.32