Modric's Croatia concedes 95th-minute equalizer to draw 2-2 with Albania
Luka Modric's (39) "last dance" could end here. Croatia came back from 0-1 down to win 2-1, but conceded a 95th-minute theater equalizer and eventually drew 2-2 with Albania.
Croatia drew 2-2 with Albania in their Euro 2024 Group B match at the Volkssparkstadion in Hamburg, Germany, at 10:00 p.m. ET on Monday (June 19).
The draw leaves Croatia bottom of the group with just one point. Albania also picked up a point and remained in third place in the group.
Croatia lined up in a 4-3-3 formation. Ribaković was in goal, while Perisic-Gvardiol-Stalo-Yuranović formed the back four. The midfield was Kovacic-Brozovic-Modric, and the attack was Kramaric-Petkovic-Majer.
Albania lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Strakosha was in goal, while Mithai, Gimciti, Ayeti, and Hisai formed the back four. Aslani and Ramadani were in the third line, with Byrami, Raci, and Asani in the second line. At the top of the front line was Manai.
Croatia were on the brink. After a 0-3 loss to Spain in the first round, they were in danger of being knocked out of the group, so a win against Albania was a must.
However, they conceded another goal in the 11th minute. From the right flank, Asani sent in a left-footed cross that Razi finished with a header to give Albania the lead.
Stunned by the blow, Croatia tried to fight back but couldn't find any traction in the attack. In the 30th minute, Albania almost 메이저토토사이트 doubled their lead, but Livakovic made a crucial save from Aslani to keep Croatia in the game.
Croatia continued to attack, but without much success, and went into halftime trailing 0-1.
At the start of the second half, Croatia made two substitutions. They took off Brozovic and Mayer and brought on Pashalic and Sušić in an attempt to be more aggressive.
After a frustrating stretch, the equalizer finally came. In the 29th minute of the second half, in a Croatian attacking situation, Budimir played an exquisite pass through the Albanian defense and Kramarac finished with his right foot to put the game back on level terms.
Two minutes later, Croatia took control of the game. In the 31st minute, Budimir won a tussle with the Albanian defense and played a cut-back pass to Sucić, whose shot hit the leg of Albanian defender Zasula for an own goal to put Croatia back in front.
However, five minutes into extra time, Zasula scored a dramatic equalizer to put the game back on level terms. The game ended the same way, with Croatia holding on for a point.