Croatia-Albania ends 2-2 in a match on the second day of group B which also includes Italy and Spain
THE LIVE
THE MATCH
A daring 2-2 draw full of emotions between Croatia and Albania at the European Championships in the second match of group B, that of Italy. A draw that puts Modric and his teammates in trouble who, after two games, have only one point in the standings and see their qualification at risk. The protagonist of the match is the Albanian Gjasula who first scores an unfortunate own goal 15′ from the end for the 2-1 in favor of the Croatians, then in full injury time he scores the final equalizer in the 50th minute of the second half amid the enthusiasm of the dozens of thousands of Albanian fans in Hamburg. In the standings, Albania and Croatia move up to one point, behind the Azzurri and Spain who are at the top with three and will face each other tomorrow. From an Italian perspective, therefore, the result of tomorrow’s match becomes even more important in view of the Azzurri’s last qualifying match in the group against Croatia. Whatever the result tomorrow, the Croatians will necessarily need a victory against Italy. In the first half the Albanians had deservedly led 1-0, thanks to a goal from Laci, and came close to doubling their lead several times.
Croatia – Albania
In the second half, however, Croatia dominated, equalizing first with Kramaric and then coming close to scoring the second goal several times. Then Gjasula’s own goal and the incredible equalizer in the fifth minute of injury time. Dalic, who deploys a 4-3-3, relies on the experience of Luka Modric and Ivan Perisic and the quality in midfield of Brozovic and Kovacic. Silvinho plays a mirror 4-3-3 but mixes up the cards compared to the defeat against Italy, inserting Laci and Manaj. Albania started off strong straight away, like against Spalletti’s Italy, surprising their opponents. Indeed, the Tirana Eagles maintain possession of the ball and attack. After 3′ Asslan catches Manaj who from the edge challenges the struggling Croatian defence. In the 11th minute the deserved goal made it 1-0. Asani crossed from the right favoring the insertion of the midfielder who headed past Livakovski at the near post. Albania then relies on the counterattack. Sutalo takes care of stopping Bajrami in last man’s slide. Brozovic tries to ease the pressure with a shot from the edge of the penalty area on the half hour mark but the Croatian reaction goes no further. After a very short time Livakovic saves Croatia. Modric loses the ball. Asani releases Asllani in the area but the Albanian’s right-footed shot is blocked by the Croatian goalkeeper. At the end the “eagles” came close to doubling their score again: Manaj’s header which was blocked again by Livakovic.
Croatia – Albania
Dalic replaces Majer with Pasalic in attack and Brozovic with Sucic in midfield. It was the new substitute who came close to equalizing in the 3rd minute: the 21-year-old Salisbrugo player tested Strakosha with his left foot. The Croatians push. in the 12th minute Sutalo and then Petkovic try. After 2′ Modric also tries but Albania is a wall. The Eagles rely on counterattacks with Asllani. Silvinho recalls Laci and inserts Gjasula in midfield. He is of little use. Croatia pushes. In the 29th minute the equalizer arrives, deservedly: Kovacic breaks through the center with the ball at his feet and serves Budimir. Assist for Kramaric who beats an innocent Strakosha. 2′ pass and Albania crumbles: unfortunate touch by Gjasula who, following an excited move by Budimir, scores an unfortunate own goal. Albania, as against Italy, finds unexpected energy in the final and pushes on the wings of the enthusiasm of its fans. The game seems to be over. The referee awards six minutes of added time. But in the 50th minute came the incredible goal from Gjasula who, with his first goal for the national team, set the score at the final 2-2.
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