Mattia Zaccagni says he and Italy are eager to repay head coach Luciano Spalletti, after the substitute’s dramatic late equaliser against Croatia sent the Azzurri through to the Euro 2024 knockout stages.
The reigning champions appeared set to finish third in Group B and face a potentially nervous wait for confirmation of their fate, as they trailed to Luka Modric’s goal in Leipzig.
However, in the eighth minute of stoppage time, substitute Zaccagni made himself the hero, curling a stunning first-time shot beyond Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic.
Snatching
