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After failing to win their opening two group-stage matches of Euro 2024 , Croatia were required to claim maximum points from their final fixture against Italy to guarantee their place in the last 16, while the Azzurri only need a point to secure a top-two finish. Following an uneventful first half, Croatia broke the deadlock in the 55th minute when Modric fired home from close range just 33 seconds after having a penalty saved by goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma . At the age of 38 years and 289 days, Modric's goal has seen him become the oldest player to score at the European Championship, surpassing the previous record set by Austria's Ivica Vastic (38 years, 257 days) at Euro 2008.

The Real Madrid midfielder may only hold the record for a matter of days, though, as 39-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo will get the chance to surpass his former Los Blancos teammate when Portugal face Georgia in Group F on Wednesday. © Imago Modric was given a round of applause from the Red Bull Arena faithful when he was replaced in the final 10 minutes as Croatia attempted to hold onto their slender lead and pip Italy to second spot in Group B. However, the contest ended in heartbreaking fashion for the Checkered Ones as Italy substitute Mattia Zaccagni scored a dramatic 98th-minute winner, a superb curling strike into the top corner, to send the Azzurri into the last 16.



Croatia sit third in Group B with only two points and are now facing a nervous wait to discover whether they have done enough to.

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