UEFA Euro 2024.

The group stage draw, though, did not do any favours: Croatia had to face the powerhouse Spain - that would go on to win the tournament - the enthusiastic Albanian side, and the defending champions Italy.

The opening day in Berlin quickly went wrong, with Morata, Ruiz, and Carvajal giving Spain a 3:0 lead before the break. Late in the game, Petković failed to convert the penalty and it was crucial to defeat Albania in Hamburg.

However, Laci scored a fast opener for Albania, while the struggle to find the equalizer finally paid off on 74 minutes, when Kramarić took advantage of a nice Budimir's assist. Just two minutes later, Gjasula deflected Luka Sučić's effort into his own net to turn the tables, and it seemed that the job was done. Yet, there was another twist: five minutes into added time, Gjasula made amends to make it 2:2.

The showdown with Italy in Leipzig was not for the faint of heart. After the break, Donnarumma saved Modrić's penalty, only for Croatia captain to respond with a goal in the next attack. Croatia was holding on to the decisive victory until the final seconds of the match, the eighth minute of added time - it was Zaccagni who finished off Italy's last move and closed the knockout stage door for Croatia.