Football News: Modric Makes European Championship History as Croatia Draw Italy in Euro 2024
In a thrilling Group B clash at Euro 2024, Croatia captain Luka Modric created history by becoming the oldest scorer in the tournament’s history. At the age of 38 years and 289 days, the midfield maestro continued to produce moments of magic for his national team.
Croatia went into the match against Italy knowing that a win would secure their place in the last 16 of the competition. However, a dramatic late equaliser from Mattia Zaccagni in the eighth minute of stoppage time has left Croatia on the brink of exiting the Euros at the group stage.
Croatia were awarded a penalty early in the second half, and Modric stepped up to take it. But his effort was brilliantly saved by Italy’s Gianluigi Donnarumma, the hero of Euro 2020. However, just 33 seconds later, Modric fired the ball home from close range after reacting quickest to Donnarumma’s expert reaction stop to deny Ante Budimir.
By doing so, Modric has become the oldest scorer in the history of the European Championship, eclipsing Austria’s Ivica Vastic, who was 38 years and 257 days old when he scored at Euro 2008. Modric has also pipped his former Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo in the race to break the record, although the Portuguese superstar still has a game left in the group stage to potentially reclaim the record.
Despite Modric’s heroics, Croatia were unable to hold on to their lead, and Zaccagni’s late strike earned Italy a crucial point. The draw has left Croatia on the brink of elimination, needing a series of results to go their way in the final round of group matches to have a chance of advancing as one of the best third-placed teams.
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