Croatia vs Albania, 2024 European Championship, Group Stage
· UEFA European ChampionshipEuro 2024: Albania claim thrilling late draw with Croatia
Lowly Albania held Croatia to a 2-2 draw in a thrilling Euro 2024 encounter on Wednesday that left both teams fighting it out for progression to the knockout stage.
Match Commentary
- 0': Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
- 0': First Half begins.
- 4': Foul by Andrej Kramaric (Croatia).
- 4': Ylber Ramadani (Albania) wins a free kick on the right wing.
- 5': Corner, Croatia. Conceded by Nedim Bajrami.
- 8': Bruno Petkovic (Croatia) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
- 8': Foul by Arlind Ajeti (Albania).
- 11': Goal! Croatia 0, Albania 1. Qazim Laçi (Albania) header from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Jasir Asani with a cross.
- 12': Foul by Rey Manaj (Albania).
- 12': Mateo Kovacic (Croatia) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
- 14': Foul by Josko Gvardiol (Croatia).
- 14': Jasir Asani (Albania) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 15': Attempt blocked. Nedim Bajrami (Albania) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Elseid Hysaj.
- 15': Corner, Albania. Conceded by Josip Juranovic.
- 16': Attempt blocked. Elseid Hysaj (Albania) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Qazim Laçi.
- 16': Hand ball by Bruno Petkovic (Croatia).
- 18': Foul by Jasir Asani (Albania).
- 18': Josko Gvardiol (Croatia) wins a free kick on the left wing.
- 20': Attempt blocked. Mateo Kovacic (Croatia) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Andrej Kramaric.
- 20': Attempt missed. Marcelo Brozovic (Croatia) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Mateo Kovacic.
- 22': Foul by Rey Manaj (Albania).
- 22': Josip Sutalo (Croatia) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 25': Foul by Ivan Perisic (Croatia).
- 25': Jasir Asani (Albania) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 26': Bruno Petkovic (Croatia) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 26': Foul by Berat Djimsiti (Albania).
- 26': Attempt missed. Bruno Petkovic (Croatia) header from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Lovro Majer with a cross.
- 27': Foul by Josip Sutalo (Croatia).
- 27': Rey Manaj (Albania) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
- 29': Attempt blocked. Rey Manaj (Albania) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Jasir Asani with a cross.
- 29': Attempt missed. Elseid Hysaj (Albania) left footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left.
- 30': Bruno Petkovic (Croatia) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 30': Foul by Mario Mitaj (Albania).
- 31': Attempt saved. Kristjan Asllani (Albania) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
- 31': Foul by Mateo Kovacic (Croatia).
- 31': Ylber Ramadani (Albania) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
- 36': Andrej Kramaric (Croatia) wins a free kick on the left wing.
- 36': Foul by Jasir Asani (Albania).
- 37': Foul by Lovro Majer (Croatia).
- 37': Mario Mitaj (Albania) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 37': Foul by Mateo Kovacic (Croatia).
- 37': Ylber Ramadani (Albania) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 38': Attempt saved. Marcelo Brozovic (Croatia) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Luka Modric.
- 40': Foul by Andrej Kramaric (Croatia).
- 40': Kristjan Asllani (Albania) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 41': Foul by Josip Sutalo (Croatia).
- 41': Rey Manaj (Albania) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 43': Attempt blocked. Lovro Majer (Croatia) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Andrej Kramaric with a cross.
- 45'+1': Attempt blocked. Jasir Asani (Albania) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Qazim Laçi.
- 45'+1': Attempt saved. Rey Manaj (Albania) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Elseid Hysaj with a cross.
- 45'+2': Berat Djimsiti (Albania) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 45'+2': Foul by Andrej Kramaric (Croatia).
- 45'+2': First Half ends, Croatia 0, Albania 1.
- 45': Second Half begins Croatia 0, Albania 1.
- 45': Substitution, Croatia. Luka Sucic replaces Lovro Majer.
- 45': Substitution, Croatia. Mario Pasalic replaces Marcelo Brozovic.
- 47': Attempt blocked. Bruno Petkovic (Croatia) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Josip Juranovic with a cross.
- 47': Foul by Ivan Perisic (Croatia).
- 47': Jasir Asani (Albania) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 49': Offside, Albania. Nedim Bajrami is caught offside.
- 50': Attempt saved. Luka Sucic (Croatia) left footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Bruno Petkovic.
- 51': Attempt missed. Mario Pasalic (Croatia) header from the right side of the six yard box is too high. Assisted by Ivan Perisic with a cross.
- 53': Attempt saved. Mateo Kovacic (Croatia) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Andrej Kramaric.
- 54': Attempt missed. Mario Pasalic (Croatia) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Ivan Perisic with a cross.
- 55': Offside, Albania. Jasir Asani is caught offside.
- 57': Attempt blocked. Bruno Petkovic (Croatia) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Josip Juranovic with a cross.
- 57': Corner, Croatia. Conceded by Arlind Ajeti.
- 58': Attempt missed. Josip Sutalo (Croatia) header from very close range is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Luka Modric with a cross following a corner.
- 59': Attempt blocked. Luka Modric (Croatia) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
- 60': Delay in match because of an injury Ylber Ramadani (Albania).
- 61': Delay over. They are ready to continue.
- 61': Attempt saved. Ivan Perisic (Croatia) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Mateo Kovacic.
- 61': Foul by Qazim Laçi (Albania).
- 61': Mateo Kovacic (Croatia) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 63': Foul by Josko Gvardiol (Croatia).
- 63': Rey Manaj (Albania) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 63': Attempt saved. Kristjan Asllani (Albania) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Qazim Laçi.
- 64': Substitution, Albania. Taulant Seferi replaces Jasir Asani.
- 65': Delay in match because of an injury Josip Sutalo (Croatia).
- 65': Delay over. They are ready to continue.
- 67': Attempt missed. Nedim Bajrami (Albania) right footed shot from the right side of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Kristjan Asllani following a fast break.
- 69': Attempt missed. Mario Pasalic (Croatia) header from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Ivan Perisic with a cross.
- 69': Substitution, Croatia. Ante Budimir replaces Bruno Petkovic.
- 70': Corner, Croatia. Conceded by Arlind Ajeti.
- 73': Substitution, Albania. Klaus Gjasula replaces Qazim Laçi.
- 73': Attempt saved. Taulant Seferi (Albania) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
- 74': Goal! Croatia 1, Albania 1. Andrej Kramaric (Croatia) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Ante Budimir.
- 75': Attempt saved. Ante Budimir (Croatia) left footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is saved in the centre of the goal.
- 76': Attempt blocked. Luka Sucic (Croatia) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Ante Budimir.
- 76': Own Goal by Klaus Gjasula, Albania. Croatia 2, Albania 1.
- 76': Elseid Hysaj (Albania) is shown the yellow card.
- 79': Foul by Rey Manaj (Albania).
- 79': Mateo Kovacic (Croatia) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
- 80': Attempt saved. Ante Budimir (Croatia) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
- 83': Foul by Josip Sutalo (Croatia).
- 83': Rey Manaj (Albania) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 84': Substitution, Croatia. Borna Sosa replaces Ivan Perisic.
- 84': Substitution, Croatia. Martin Baturina replaces Andrej Kramaric.
- 85': Substitution, Albania. Mirlind Daku replaces Rey Manaj.
- 85': Substitution, Albania. Arbër Hoxha replaces Ylber Ramadani.
- 86': Foul by Josip Sutalo (Croatia).
- 86': Taulant Seferi (Albania) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
- 87': Offside, Albania. Taulant Seferi is caught offside.
- 87': Ivica Ivusic (Croatia) is shown the yellow card.
- 88': Attempt missed. Luka Modric (Croatia) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Mateo Kovacic.
- 89': Attempt saved. Martin Baturina (Croatia) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
- 90': Attempt saved. Arbër Hoxha (Albania) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Mirlind Daku.
- 90': Offside, Albania. Mirlind Daku is caught offside.
- 90': Delay in match because of an injury Dominik Livakovic (Croatia).
- 90'+2': Delay over. They are ready to continue.
- 90'+3': Attempt blocked. Mirlind Daku (Albania) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Taulant Seferi.
- 90'+3': Foul by Mirlind Daku (Albania).
- 90'+3': Josko Gvardiol (Croatia) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 90'+3': Mirlind Daku (Albania) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
- 90'+5': Goal! Croatia 2, Albania 2. Klaus Gjasula (Albania) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner.
- 90'+7': Attempt blocked. Klaus Gjasula (Albania) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Mirlind Daku.
- 90'+7': Foul by Klaus Gjasula (Albania).
- 90'+7': Luka Modric (Croatia) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 90'+7': Klaus Gjasula (Albania) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
- 90'+8': Attempt saved. Mateo Kovacic (Croatia) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Luka Sucic.
- 90'+9': Second Half ends, Croatia 2, Albania 2.
- 0': Match ends, Croatia 2, Albania 2.
Statistics
 ALB |
CRO |
|
|---|---|---|
| 11 | Fouls | 15 |
| 3 | Yellow Cards | 1 |
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 |
| 4 | Offsides | 0 |
| 1 | Corner Kicks | 3 |
| 8 | Saves | 5 |
| 33 | Possession | 67 |
| 15 | SHOTS | 22 |
| 7 | ON GOAL | 10 |
| 0.5 | On Target % | 0.5 |
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 |
| 0 | Penalty Kicks Taken | 0 |
| 247 | Accurate Passes | 572 |
| 311 | Passes | 634 |
| 0.8 | Pass Completion % | 0.9 |
| 4 | Accurate Crosses | 9 |
| 12 | Crosses | 29 |
| 0.3 | Cross % | 0.3 |
| 60 | Long Balls | 29 |
| 29 | Accurate Long Balls | 12 |
| 0.5 | Long Balls % | 0.4 |
| 6 | Blocked Shots | 5 |
| 7 | Effective Tackles | 12 |
| 11 | Tackles | 17 |
| 0.6 | Tackle % | 0.7 |
| 9 | Interceptions | 14 |
| 26 | Effective Clearances | 7 |
| 26 | Clearances | 7 |
Game Information
Competition: UEFA European Championship
Venue: Volksparkstadion
Location: Hamburg, Germany
Attendance: 46,784
Venue: Volksparkstadion
Location: Hamburg, Germany
Attendance: 46,784
EURO Standings
| # | TEAM | GP | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spain | 3 | +5 | 9 |
| 2 | Italy | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| 3 | Croatia | 3 | -3 | 2 |
| 4 | Albania | 3 | -2 | 1 |
Line-Ups
Croatia (4-3-3)
| No. | Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Dominik Livakovic (GK) |
| 4 | Josko Gvardiol |
| 6 | Josip Sutalo |
| 14 | Ivan Perisic |
| 22 | Josip Juranovic |
| 11 | Marcelo Brozovic |
| 8 | Mateo Kovacic |
| 10 | Luka Modric |
| 17 | Bruno Petkovic |
| 9 | Andrej Kramaric |
| 7 | Lovro Majer |
Albania (4-3-3)
| No. | Name |
|---|---|
| 23 | Thomas Strakosha (GK) |
| 6 | Berat Djimsiti |
| 5 | Arlind Ajeti |
| 3 | Mario Mitaj |
| 4 | Elseid Hysaj  |
| 20 | Ylber Ramadani |
| 21 | Kristjan Asllani |
| 14 | Qazim Laçi |
| 7 | Rey Manaj |
| 10 | Nedim Bajrami |
| 9 | Jasir Asani |
EURO News
England manager Thomas Tuchel to begin role early - sources
Thomas Tuchel will begin as England manager three weeks early when he attends next week's 2026 World Cup qualifying draw, sources have told ESPN.
England's Jude Bellingham felt like 'scapegoat' after Euros
Jude Bellingham has admitted he felt like "a scapegoat" after England's Euro 2024 final defeat last summer, but said "the smile is back" with the national team.
Gareth Southgate considering career outside of football
Five months after leaving his job as England manager, Gareth Southgate has said his next career move could be outside the football industry.
UEFA opens investigation into ref David Coote over new video
UEFA has opened an investigation into suspended referee David Coote after a video published by The Sun allegedly showed him snorting a white powder while on duty at Euro 2024.
David Coote: New video puts suspended referee under fresh scrutiny
PGMOL, the refereeing body for English football, has confirmed that it is aware of a new video published by The Sun in which suspended Premier League referee David Coote is allegedly seen snorting a white powder.