European Cup Group B, Croatia vs Italy. In the 98th minute, Italy staged a perfect tie. The score of 1-1 meant that Italy qualified and Croatia was basically eliminated with 2 points. The 38-year-old Modric experienced ecstasy to despair...
Spain, Croatia, and Italy were in a deadly group, but the process was not so deadly. Spain was determined to qualify early, Croatia was hard-pressed to win, and Italy was still slow. For Croatia, the match against Italy is the real decisive battle: losing means being eliminated.
The 38-year-old Modric carries the dream of 4 million Croatians. In the first half of the match against Italy, Modric performed mediocrely. Just when the outside world lamented that "the gods all have dusk", Modric gave the world a surprise:
In the 54th minute, Croatia received a penalty kick. Modric's penalty shot was saved by Donnarumma. Croatia attacked for the second time. Budimir's shot was saved. Within the small penalty area, Modric succeeded in making a supplementary shot!
went from missing a penalty kick to scoring a goal in 32 seconds, from hell to heaven. After scoring the goal, Modric got up and ran 30 meters, fell to the ground and covered his face in celebration!
The 38-year-old veteran has met all the big stars in the world, but he still loves football and the national team. This is touching. For Croatia, this was a life-saving goal. In the real-time standings, Croatia rose from last to second place.
In the 80th minute, Modric was replaced. However, a heartbreaking scene happened for Croatia. In the 98th minute, Italy's Zaccagni scored a stunning goal, 1-1. In the standings, Italy rushed to second place, and Croatia's 4 points became 2 points...
Although, Croatia still has theoretical hope of qualifying. But only in theory. It is basically impossible to become "third among the four best performing groups" with 2 points. At the moment of defeat, Modric looked lonely. From hell to heaven, and then to hell again, Modric could not bear such a reversal. Modric bent over and held his head. Just from this photo (below), you can feel the deep despair...
The mvp of this game is Modric, but the 38-year-old Magic Flute is holding the mvp trophy. No happy expressions. Modric cried during the interview after the game. It's hard not to feel despair: it's really tragic to see someone celebrating qualifying, only to fall down in the last 40 seconds.
