Croatia, Gwangju Asani 1-assist, 2-2 shock draw with Albania
Croatia draws with Albania.
Croatia drew 2-2 with Albania in their UEFA Euro 2024 Group B second leg at the Volkssparkstadion in Hamburg, Germany, at 10:00 p.m. ET on Monday. The result drops Croatia to the bottom of the group on goal difference.
[Starting lineup] 'Last Dance' Modric vs. 'Krieger' Asani starts!
Croatia lined up in a 4-3-3 formation. Kramaric, Petkovic, Mayer, Kovacic, Brozovic, Modric, Perisic, Gvardiol, Stalo, and Yuranovic were the starters, with Ribakovic in goal.
Their Albanian counterparts also used a 4-3-3 formation. Bairami, Manai, Asani, Laci, Ramadani, Aslani, Mitai, Ayti, Gimciti, Hisai, and Strakosha in goal.
Albania's first goal of the game! 'Gwangju's' Asani 1 assist
Albania took the lead early. In the 11th minute, Asani's exquisite cross from the right side of the box was met with a sharp header by Laci that rattled the net as Livakovic was unable to get a hand to it. Albania continued to build momentum. In the 15th minute, Hisay's pass found Byrami on the left side of the box, but his right-footed shot was blocked by the defense.
Croatia looked to counter. In the 20th minute, Kramaric's pass was met by Kovacic with a right-footed shot from outside the box, but he couldn't finish. Albania pushed for a second goal. In the 29th minute, Aslani's cross from the right side of the box was deflected by the Croatian defense and Hisay headed wide.
Albania's best chance of the game came to nothing. In the 31st minute, Aslani had a powerful shot from the center of the box that was saved by the goalkeeper. Croatia survived the danger. In the first minute of stoppage time, Asani's cross from the left was headed on by Manai, but the goalkeeper made the save. The first half ended with Albania in the lead.
Croatia rallies from two goals 토토 down to 'shock draw' with Albania theater goal in stoppage time
Croatia made the first changes at the start of the second half. Mayer and Brozovic were taken off and Pasalic and Susic came on. Croatia swallowed their disappointment. Five minutes into the second half, Susic's turnover was saved by the goalkeeper, then Perisic's cross from the flank was met by Pasalic with a header that flew over the bar.
Croatia continued to attack. In the ninth minute of the second half, Kovacic's right-footed shot from outside the box was saved by the goalkeeper. Croatia added sharpness to their attack. In the 13th minute, Stalo got a header on a ball delivered by Modric off a corner kick, but it went wide of the goal.
Albania also had their chances. In the 18th minute of the second half, Aslani attempted a mid-range shot that was saved by the goalkeeper. Soon after, Albania pulled out the substitution card. They brought on Asani and sent off Seferi. Croatia also made a substitution. In the 24th minute of the second half, they took off Petkovic and brought on Budimir. Albania brought on Jasula for Laci.
Croatia equalized. In the 29th minute, Kovacic crossed the ball forward for Kramaric to finish into the back of the net. Croatia took the lead. In the 31st minute, Budimir's cut-back was headed into an empty net by Susic, who deflected it off Zasula and into the back of the net.
Croatia made a threatening move. In the 43rd minute, Modric drove the ball himself and fired a powerful shot that sailed over the bar. Then, on the counterattack, substitute Baturina broke down the Albanian defense and took a shot that was saved by the keeper. Six minutes of extra time were awarded. Albania scored the equalizer in the fifth minute of the second overtime. The match ended in a draw.