Winning debut at Euro2024 for Luciano Spalletti’s Italy, who beat Albania 2-1 in Dortmund in the first match of Group B. Disastrous start for the Azzurri, who conceded a goal after just 23 seconds after an error from a throw-in by Dimarco which surprised Bastoni and gave Bajrami the opening goal (the fastest goal in the history of the European Championships). Shortly afterwards, however, Italy returned to the match with a goal from Bastoni following a corner (11′), and then overturned the result with Barella from outside the area (16′). First three points for Spalletti.
In doing so, Italy won its debut match in 4 consecutive European and World Cup editions for the first time in history.
Here is the match scoreboard:
Italy (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Bastoni, Calafiori, Dimarco (37′ st Darmian); Jorginho, Barella (47′ st Folorunsho); Frattesi, Pellegrini (32′ st Cristante), Chiesa (32′ st Cambiaso); Scamacca (37′ st Retegui). Available: Vicario, Meret, Buongiorno, Gatti, Raspadori, Bellanova, Mancini, Zaccagni, Fagioli, El Shaarawy. All.: Spalletti
Albania (4-3-3): Strakosha; Hysaj, Djimsiti, Ajeti, Mitaj; Asllani, Ramadani, Bajrami (42′ st Maçi); Asani (23′ st Hoxha), Broja (31′ st Manaj), Seferi (23′ st Laçi). Available: E. Berisha, Kastrati, Balliu, Gjasula, Mihaj, M. Berisha, Ismajli, Daku, Abrashi, Kumbulla, Aliji. All.: Sylvinho
Referee: Zwayer (Germany)
Scorers: 1′ Bajrami (A), 11′ Bastoni (I), 16′ Barella (I)
Booked: Pellegrini, Calafiori (I); Broja, Hoxha (A)
Italy
