Albania equalised with Croatia at the end! Neither team came close to advancing

Croatia had long been looking for 3 points thanks to a great 2nd half performance. Albania showed to all teams that it is a game of the last seconds, as the equalizer came in the 6th minute of the 2nd half. However, a draw is not enough for either team and both countries will have to win in the last game if they want to think about advancing.

In the 12th minute, Yasir Asani centred on the right wing, Sparta’s Qazim Laci was in front of goal and headed the ball into the net. The Albanians scored a similar goal to the Spaniards, so they had their opponent perfectly loaded.

Although the Croatians kept the ball much more on their feet, Albania relied on quick counter-attacks, which paid off. Mainly due to the fact that Croatia lost balls in transition to attack, leaving their defence open at that moment.

Albania had another big chance again. In the 30th minute, Asani again got to the centre and was looking for it in front of the goal. The ball was turned away by Joško Gvardiol, the deflected ball found Hysaj and with a first touch shot he scared Dominik Livakovic in the Croatian goal.

Moments later, Asani was alone in front of Livakovic, but the Croatian goalkeeper made a fantastic save to keep his team’s hopes alive.

Livakovic still had to do his part in the first minute of stoppage time. Laci pressed well and won the ball into Albanian possession. Rey Manaj pounced on the centred ball and the Croatian goalkeeper had to make a fantastic save again.

Second half

In the 49th minute, the Croatians had their first big chance. A great combination between Mateo Kovacic and Mario Pasalic was finished with a good shot by Bruno Petkovic. Coach Zlatko Dalic’s charges were starting to get into their stride after the half-time break.

Croatia were the better team throughout the second half, culminating in the 74th minute. Ante Budimir crossed the ball into the opponents’ penalty area to a running Andrej Kramaric, who sent an uncatchable shot into the bottom corner of the net.

Budimir played a starring role a few minutes later. It was the Osasuna striker who crossed the ball underneath to Luka Susic who, despite several bounces, got the ball into the net to turn the game around. The goal was eventually registered as an own goal. Within minutes, the Croatians had turned around their chances of advancing.

Albania scored the fastest goal of the tournament so far in the match against Italy. This time, however, the Albanians scored their latest goal yet. Klaus Gjasula equalised in the 6th minute of the set piece, to which the ball bounced at penalty level. It was Gjasula who scored the own goal that sent the opponents into the lead.

Source: EURO 2024, CT Sport