Italian papers hail a 'MIRACLE' to qualify for Euro 2024 last 16 with last-gasp equaliser against Croatia... and compare Mattia Zaccagni to Italy football legend after 98th-minute stunner
- Italian papers believe their late equaliser against Croatia was miraculous
- Mattia Zaccagni curled in a gorgeous strike from the left in the 98th minute
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Italy's sporting papers have uplifted Monday night hero Mattia Zaccagni to the pedestal of miracles and legends.
Super sub Zaccagni curled in a 98th-minute equaliser against Croatia to ensure Italy's progress to the last 16 from the maws of tragedy.
Had Italy lost 1-0, they would have finished third in Group B with three points and a minus-one goal difference, with the jeopardy of potentially being knocked out.
But Lazio winger Zaccagni stepped up to secure qualification and break Croatian hearts - leaving their hopes hanging by a thread - while earning comparisons to Alessandro Del Piero, who scored a similar goal in the 2006 World Cup.
'Italy miracle' is the headline on newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, who are leading with a huge picture of Zaccagni spreading his arms in celebration.
Italy's sports newspapers have hailed a 'miracle' against Croatia and compared Mattia Zaccagni to Alessandro Del Piero
La Gazzetta dello Sport: 'ITALY MIRACLE' Draw at the 98th against the Croatians, we are in the Round of 16
Tuttosport: 'Let’s go!' Lower down: D'el Piero style goal at the last desperate attack on a marvellous Calafiori assist'
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'Euro pheeeew!' is the heading on Il Corriere dello Sport, who added that Italy were 'crazy' and surged from 'nightmare to celebration'.
Meanwhile, Tuttosport went with a simple 'Let's go!'
In smaller text, they added that Zaccagni scored a 'Del Piero-style goal at the last desperate attack on a marvellous Calafiori assist.
Zaccagni's strike was almost a carbon copy of the legendary striker's finish against Germany in the 2006 World Cup semi-finals.
Del Piero bagged a 120th-minute goal to seal a 2-0 win over Germany in Dortmund that day, sending Italy to a final against France, which they would win on penalties.
The late, late show against Croatia wasn't the first time Italy have had to escape their blushes this tournament.
They conceded the fastest goal in Euros history in their opening match against Albania but goals from Alessandro Bastoni and Nicolo Barella secured the three points.
In their second game they sunk to a 1-0 defeat by Spain after young defender Riccardo Calafiori kneed the ball into his own net.
Zaccagni's goal ensured that Italy progress to the last 16 when they could have gone out
Il Corriere dello Sport: 'Euro pheeeew! From nightmare to celebration: 1-1 with Croatia, on Saturday there’s Switzerland; Crazy Italy: they go through at the 98th thanks to Zaccagni'
Yet there was redemption for Calafiori against Croatia.
The headband-toting defender carried the ball into the final third with a bold drive and picked out Zaccagni on the left side of the box to set up Italy's leveller.
