Albania draw dramatically 2-2 with Croatia
Krieger rings Luka Modric.
Albania drew 2-2 with Croatia in their UEFA Euro 2024 Group B second leg at the Volkssparkstadion on Monday (June 19) in Germany. Albania, considered Group B's weakest team, earned a point with a late stoppage-time equalizer, with Gwangju FC's Asani assisting on the goal.
Croatia came out with a 4-3-3. Up front were Perkovic, Kramaric, and Mayer. Modric, Brozovic, and Kovacic lined up in the middle. The back four consisted of Yuranovic, Stalo, Gvardiol, and Perisic. Rivagović was in goal.
Albania also lined up in a 4-3-3. Up front were Byrami, Manai, and Asani. In the midfield were Laci, Ramadani, and Aslani. The back four consisted of Mithai, Aeti, Gymciti, and Hisai. Strakosha kept the goalkeeper's gloves.
Albania opened the scoring in the 11th minute. Gwangju FC's Asani sent in a sharp cross from the right. Laci, who was in front of the goal, headed it home to take the lead. After the unexpected blow, Croatia pushed hard to equalize, but the goal didn't come easily. The first half ended with Albania taking a 1-0 lead.
Croatia came out fired up in the second half and finally got the equalizer they had been waiting for in the 29th minute. In the center of the 토토사이트 box, Croatia linked up nicely. The ball was played into the box to Kramaric, who slotted a right-footed shot into the Albanian net.
It took Croatia just two minutes to take the lead. In the 31st minute, Budimir won a battle with the defense in the box and crossed the ball into the box. The ball was crossed to Suic, who fired a shot that deflected off Zasula and into the back of the net. Croatia came back in dramatic fashion thanks to Zasula's own goal.
From there, the two teams fought back and forth. Croatia was looking for an extra goal, while Albania was looking for an equalizer. In the last minute of the match, Albania had a decisive chance. A powerful shot from Albania bounced off the goalkeeper. The Albanian striker lunged in and was caught by the late reacting Rabikovic, earning a penalty kick. But before he could convert, an offside flag was raised.
However, Albania did not give up. They scored the equalizer in late stoppage time. A sharp Albanian ground ball cross from the left was met by Zasula, who was in front of the goal and took a clean shot on goal. The shot found its way into the Croatian net. It was a dramatic equalizer. Zasula atoned for his own goal.
No more goals were scored after that, and the two teams split the points.