Croatian national team midfielder, Luka Modric, experienced a “roller coaster” moment against Italy in the final match of Group B qualifying for Euro 2024. Luka Modric had to accept the fact that Croatia could not qualify directly for the last 16 of Euro 2024 because they were held to a 1-1 draw by Italy.
The Croatia vs Italy match in the final duel in Group B of Euro 2024 took place at the Leipzig Stadium, Germany, Monday (24/6/2024). The captain of the Croatian national team, Luka Modric, experienced a bitter-sweet moment in that match.
10 minutes into the second half, Croatia was awarded a penalty for Davide Frattesi’s handball in the forbidden box. Modric, who took the penalty, failed to carry out his duties properly. The Real Madrid midfielder’s weak shot was stopped by Italian goalkeeper Gigi Donnarumma. However, Modric was then able to pay for his failure after scoring a goal, opening Croatia’s lead, in the 55th minute.
Due to his score, the player born on September 9 1985 has temporarily become the oldest goalscorer at the Euros. “Luka Modric from Croatia is the oldest goalscorer in Euro history. The 38 years 289 days old midfielder opened the scoring against Italy at UEFA Euro 2024, moments after his penalty was saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma,” said a statement on the official UEFA website.
However, there are still several other names who can break Modric’s record, including 39-year-old Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo, if he can score a goal at Euro 2024. However, Modric’s hopes of leading Croatia to qualify directly for the last 16 of Euro 2024 were dashed after Italy dramatically equalized in injury time via Mattia Zaccagni. Modric et al also had to accept a 1-1 draw and watch Italy qualify directly for the last 16 of Euro 2024 accompanying Spain in Group B.
However, Modric was selected as Player of the Match or the best player in the match. “Croatian goalscorer and captain Luka Modri was named Player of the Year,” read the UEFA Euro 2024 website. “He became the oldest player to score a Euros goal and completed 14 passes in the final third in an outstanding all-round performance,” said the Observers’ Panel UEFA Technical.
Croatia is on the verge of dropping out of the tournament after taking just two points from three matches. The only hope for Modric et al to survive in the tournament is for the England national team to beat Slovenia with three or more goals on Wednesday (19/6/2024), namely through the third best chance.
