Croatia will be eliminated from the round of 16

Croatian veteran midfielder Luka Modric 38 scored a goal at the age of the oldest in European Championship history. Personally, it was a glorious goal but did not guarantee his country’s advance to the round of 16.

Modric scored the first goal in the 10th minute of the second half against Italy in the final third Group B match of Euro 2024 held in Leipzig, Germany on Saturday. Modric scored a goal off Italian goalkeeper Anluigi Donnarumma in the ensuing attack after the penalty kick was missed. “Modric scored the goal 33 seconds after the penalty kick was missed,” the Associated Press said. “Croatian fans cheered and threw their beer cups into the sky.”

Modric’s goal at age 38 years and 289 days is the oldest ever scored in a Euro tournament. The previous record was 38 years and 257 days recorded by Austria’s Ivica Bastik at Euro 2008. Modric was replaced with a standing ovation from the audience in the 35th minute of the second half, and Croatia focused on its defense afterward. In the 8th minute of Injeori time, the team scored an equalizer to Italian substitute Matia Zacani Lachio. Croatia ended its group stage by ranking third in the group with three wins and six losses. In this tournament, four teams from the third place in the six groups will join the round of 16. Croatia is highly likely to be eliminated as it has only two points remaining and has a -3 margin of gain or loss. On the other hand, Italy advanced to the round of 16 by keeping its second place in the group with one win, one draw and one loss and four points. The opponent of the group of 16 teams is Switzerland.

Modric, the captain of the Croatian national team, was named the man of the match. “Football has proven to be cruel today as well,” Modric said. “I don’t understand why the referee gave me eight minutes of in-flight time. I want to keep playing now, but someday I will take off my soccer shoes,” Modric said. “I will keep playing for now, but I don’t know how long it will last.” Croatian wingback Luca Ivanusek said, “I was dumbfounded. I don’t know what to say. Everything was on our side until the last minute, and I’m so disappointed.”

On the other hand, Italian coach Luciano Spaletti said, “This is what soccer is like,” adding, “We believed until the end that we would be able to advance to the round of 16.” At the same time, Spaletti got angry and said, “We still haven’t won the 50-50 challenge, and this is not a technical problem. I doubt we can do dirty work in the tournament.” 실시간 바카라사이트