Italy’s last-minute goal against Croatia sealed their spot in the knockouts, marking a significant milestone in Luka Modric’s career. At 38 years and 289 days, Modric became the oldest scorer in the history of the European Championship, surpassing Ivica Vastic’s previous record. This performance could potentially signal the end of Modric’s international journey with a man-of-the-match display.
Mattia Zaccagni’s goal for Italy was not just any goal – it was the ninth stoppage-time goal in this year’s Group Stage, the highest since the inception of the tournament in 1980. Zaccagni, scoring his first ever goal for Italy in seven appearances, delivered an unforgettable moment with his equalizer at 97:19, making it the latest goal scored by Italy in Euro history.
Italy made a bold move by fielding a starting XI without a Juventus player for the first time since the 1998 FIFA World Cup. This decision marked a shift in the traditional lineup of the national team, showcasing the depth and diversity of talent in Italian football.
Spain asserted their dominance in Group B by finishing at the top after ending Albania’s dream run with a 1-0 victory. The team ended the group stage without conceding a single goal, a first-time achievement in a major international tournament. This defensive solidity could prove to be crucial as they head into the knockout stages with momentum on their side.
Ferran Torres continued his impressive form by scoring his 20th goal for Spain, tying Telmo Zarra for the 13th-most goals in team history. Torres also became the 14th player in Spain’s history to reach the 20-goal mark for the national team. With his contributions, Torres solidified his place as a key player for Spain under Luis de la Fuente’s management.
Dani Olmo emerged as a crucial playmaker for Spain, leading the assists chart in major tournaments since 2020. His fifth assist in Euro 2024 came as he set up Torres for the winning goal against Albania, showcasing his vision and creativity on the field. Olmo’s ability to create scoring opportunities for his teammates adds another dimension to Spain’s attacking prowess.
Spain achieved a historic feat by winning all three of their group stage games at a Euros for the first time since 2008 when they went on to win the tournament. Additionally, Jesus Navas became the oldest player to represent Spain in a major international tournament, breaking the previous record set by Santiago Canizares. These milestones underline Spain’s rich history in international football and their continued pursuit of excellence on the global stage.
Italy and Spain’s performances in Euro 2024 have been nothing short of remarkable, with players breaking records and making history on the pitch. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on these two teams as they aim for glory in the knockout stages.
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