MATTIA ZACCAGNI was the hero as he saved Italy from being dumped out the Euros.
But dumping in a different context sees him involved in a love triangle with a team-mate.
Italy only needed a point against Croatia to book their spot in the knockout rounds of Euro 2024 – but they found themselves 1-0 down with just seconds to go.
In their last attack, the ball rolled wide to Zaccagni and the Lazio star fired a shot into the top corner to set up a last-16 clash with Switzerland.
The goal sparked huge celebrations that would have continued into a previously awkward Azzurri dressing room.
Italy star Zaccagni, 29, is married to Chiara Nasti, 26, who is the ex of team-mate Nicolo Zaniolo, 24.
The glamorous influencer has two million followers on Instagram and dated the man on loan at Aston Villa last season until their split in 2021.
Soon after Chiara and Zaniolo went their separate ways, she began dating Zaccagni.
And the couple had a baby boy in 2022 before marrying last year.
At the time, Zaniolo, who has his son of his own with girlfriend Sara Scaperrotta, played for Lazio’s biggest rivals Roma.
And their fans celebrated his Conference League final winning goal by chanting: “Zaccagni’s son is Zaniolo’s.”
It led to Chiara writing on social media: “With that shrimp, we don’t know how he has already had a child.”
She then swiftly deleted her posts.
It all led to an awkward meeting during the international break in September last year when Zaccagni and Zaniolo were both called up to the Italy squad.
And both were in the starting XI for the 1-1 draw with North Macedonia.
Despite it making headlines, Zaccagni and Zaniolo did not let the love triangle get in the way of Italy qualifying for the Euros.
But Zaniolo did not do enough to make this summer’s squad – with his ex’s new man the national hero.
However, not all is well in the Italy camp after manager Luciano Spaletti launched a furious rant due to claims there is a mole leaking stories to the press from inside the squad.
