Why Italy’s last-minute goal plays into Austria’s hands

Mattia Zaccagni, a striker for Lazio Rome, could not have chosen a better moment to score his first international goal. The 29-year-old curled the ball into the right corner in the 98th minute – 40 seconds before the end of stoppage time – to make it 1-1 in Leipzig, sending World Cup bronze medallist Croatia into the valley of tears.

• Read more: Modric replaced Vastic as the oldest European Championship goalscorer

The Squadra Azzurra secured second place in EURO Group B behind the flawless Spaniards (1:0 against Albania) and promotion to the round of 16, which is practically out of reach for third-placed Croatia. Two points and a significantly negative goal difference (3:6) are probably not enough. Austria’s team can live very well with this result, however, as their place in the knockout phase is 99.9 percent certain. Ralf Rangnick’s charges can even afford a defeat by four goals against the Netherlands on Tuesday (6 p.m., Servus TV) to be certain.

The tragic hero of the evening was Luka Modric. In the 53rd minute, the Croatian captain became the oldest goalscorer in EURO history at 38 years and 289 days. The Real Madrid star thus surpassed the Austrian legend Ivica Vastic, who scored the 1:1 penalty against Poland at the home tournament in 2008 at 38 years and 257 days. The piquant thing: Modric had not set his sights so brilliantly from the ominous spot around 30 seconds before his goal.

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He failed – after a handball by Davide Frattesi – with a penalty against Italy’s goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma (52nd minute). But Modric is not one to bury his head in the sand. He followed up and rewarded himself. In the following offensive action, the captain coolly dusted off after a brilliant save by Donnarumma against ex-LASK striker Ante Budimir. Ecstatic conditions – until the 98th minute. Then only the Italians were dancing after a thrilling exchange of blows with two Linz natives on the Croatian side: Mateo Kovacic (Manchester City) and Luka Sucic (FC Salzburg) played until the 70th minute. At that point, the world was still in order for the duo.

Spain only needed their “second suit” in Düsseldorf to achieve their third success. Ferran Torres stood out in the 13th minute with his 20th goal in 44 international matches – 1:0. Incidentally, FC Sevilla’s record player Jesus Navas led the “Furia Roja” onto the pitch as captain. Assistant coach Pablo Amo praised the 38-year-old highly: “He is an inspiration and a role model.”