Luka Modric had an incredible minute as he pitted Croatia against Italy following his missed penalty in the UEFA Euro 2024 group stage final. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to keep him from being eliminated.
Luka Modric felt every emotion in a few minute. 55 minutes into Croatia’s match versus Italy on Matchday 3 of the UEFA Euro 2024 group stage, he gave Croatia the lead.
Just moments before, though, the Real Madrid midfielder missed a penalty kick that would have ended the tie. After 54′, Gianluigi Donnarumma, sensing his intention, dove to his left to halt the spot-kick. Fortunately, Modric was able to apologise right away.
The oldest goal scorer at a European Championship is Luka Modric of Croatia | AP News
After scoring a goal that would have sent his country to the next round, the 38-year-old, who almost cost Croatia the chance to advance in the Euros, was seen sobbing amid the celebrations.
However, Croatia’s hopes were short-lived as Italy’s Zaccagni tied the score in 90+8′ to win the game in stoppage time. With this draw, Italy finishes second in Group B, and Croatia, with just two points, is in third place. It appears from this that Modric and his team won’t be participating in Euro 2024.
Breaking: Luka Modric misses Croatia’s penalty kick, but within a minute, he gives them the lead and creates a new record at Euro 2024.
One minute after Modric’s error, Zlatko Dalic’s team found the opening goal in Leipzig despite the initial indication that Donnarumma would prevent Croatia from grabbing the lead. The veteran actor started crying too during the celebrations.
In terms of age, Modric exceeds all prior European scorers.
At 38 years and 289 days, Modric overtook Polish goal scorer Ivica Vastic to become the oldest goal scorer in UEFA Euro history. Together with Cristiano Ronaldo, he also became the only player to score in four separate European Championships.
Since making his debut for Croatia in 2006, the seasoned midfielder has made 178 appearances, tallying 26 goals and 29 assists to date. At this stage of his career, Modric is still creating history. That’s why the crowd could only have given him a standing ovation when Lovro Majer replaced Modric after 80′. Sadly, it’s conceivable that this was his last time competing internationally.
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