Croatia's elimination from Euro 2024 in the group stage was confirmed on Tuesday evening, with Zlatko Dalic's side no longer able to advance as one of the four best third-placed outfits.
Kockasti were on the verge of booking their spot in the round of 16 on Monday evening, with Luka Modric's close-range finish seeing them lead Italy 1-0 in Group B.
At that stage, Croatia were finishing second in Group B behind Spain, but Italy scored a 98th-minute leveller through Mattia Zaccagni to break Croatian hearts.
The result left Dalic's side third in their section on two points, meaning that qualification as one of the third-placed outfits was going to be incredibly difficult.
On Tuesday, due to Slovenia's 0-0 draw with England, it was confirmed that Croatia would not be going any further in this summer's European Championship.
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Croatia are officially eliminated from Euro 2024
Following the clash with Italy, Dalic hit out at the "nonsense" decision to add eight additional minutes at the end of the contest.
"We are a small country. No one gave us so much thought but you can't have eight minutes, it is a nonsense. I don't want to cause a fuss about what's gone on but Croatia needs to be respected, recognised and acknowledged," the head coach told reporters.
"Unfortunately we have to stand up for ourselves. I want to thank the lads for their commitment and effort.
"[The outcome] really hurts. It still hurts and will hurt over the coming days and months. It's not easy, but when we look in general there are some days when it is your day some it is not, occasionally you lose. That is football."
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Late goals harmed Croatia badly at Euro 2024
Croatia have twice reached the quarter-finals of the European Championships, which came in 1996 and 2008, while they were present in the round of 16 in both Euro 2016 and Euro 2020.
As a result, this is the first time that the national side have been knocked out in the first round of a European Championship since 2012, and there is no getting away from the fact that it was a disappointing tournament.
Croatia opened their Group B challenge with a 3-0 defeat to Spain on June 15 and could then only manage a 2-2 draw with Albania in their second match four days later.
Dalic's side were also undone by a late goal against Albania, conceding a second in the 95th minute, so the national team will certainly be left wondering what might have been.
Croatia will be back in competitive action in the UEFA Nations League against Portugal on September 5.
Matt Law
![Croatia's Luka Modric applauds the fans after the match on June 24, 2024 [IMAGO]](https://sm.imgix.net/11/29/1x1.gif?w=1&h=1 "Croatia's Luka Modric applauds the fans after the match on June 24, 2024 [IMAGO]")
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