Group B of Euro 2024 concluded on Monday evening with two matches played simultaneously: Croatia and Italy squared off in Leipzig, while Spain met Albania in Düsseldorf.

Croatia 1-1 Italy

Both sides entered this match having been beaten by group winners Spain, and would be eager to get a result to ensure their progress. Italy, led by Paris Saint-Germain's Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal, would finish second with a draw, having the tiebreaker over Albania, while Croatia could do the same with a win, but would be left sweating the standings of other groups in the event of anything else. Given this setup, Croatia showed greater urgency throughout, starting in the fourth minute as Donnarumma was forced to make a flying save to deny Luka Sucic. Twenty minutes later, Italy were denied the lead by Croatia 'keeper Dominik Livaković, who did well off his line at a corner. The first half would end scoreless, but come to life in the second.

Just five minutes int the half, Croatia won a penalty for a handball on Davide Frattesi, and Luka Modric saw his effort kept out by Donnarumma, but the Real Madrid midfielder was to have his revenge moments later as he pounced on a loose ball in the six-yard box to give his side the lead. Italy pushed hard for an equaliser, but looked to be left empty-handed as they struggled to manufacture much to test the Croatians. Finally, in the eighth minute of stoppage time, Lazio midfielder Mattia Zaccagni curled in a brilliant shot on the counter, earning Italy a date with Switzerland in the Round of 16 and leaving Croatia awaiting the rest of the group stage matches.

Italy is always in good hands 🧤🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/tGDYurac7Z

— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) June 21, 2024

Spain 1-0 Albania

In the other match in Group B, Spain played a heavily rotated side, with PSG midfielder Fabián Ruiz, who has been excellent to date, left on the bench. It was still enough to get a 1-0 win over an Albania team which fielded former FC Metz player Ivan Balliu at right back and ex-AC Ajaccio attacking midfielder Qazim Laçi. Ferran Torres scored for La Roja with just 13 minutes on the clock, and while Albania forced David Raya into four saves, Spain would finish worthy winners, their perfect progress through the group stage earning them a date with a third-place team on Sunday.

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>> Gianluigi Donnarumma, PSG's Italian Ace

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