Albania dent Croatia’s Euro 2024 hopes with dramatic draw
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Albania's Klaus Gjasula scores the second goal in the 2-2 draw with Croatia.
REUTERS
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HAMBURG – In the end, it was just not meant to be for Croatia.
Their coach Zlatko Dalic had lamented that his side were always treated as dark horses, but they simply did not give anyone confidence when they drew 2-2 with lowly Albania on June 19.
The Croats are now in danger of a group-stage exit from Euro 2024 after their stalemate, as Albania’s Klaus Gjasula scored at both ends, including a dramatic injury-time equaliser.
After a disappointing 3-0 loss to Spain in their Group B opener, Dalic’s men went behind again when Qazim Laci gave the Albanians an early lead in Hamburg.
Croatia improved after making two half-time substitutions and Andrej Kramaric levelled with 16 minutes remaining, before Gjasula put through his own net just two minutes later.
But the Albania midfielder then became the last-gasp hero, slotting into the bottom corner in the fifth minute of added time to snatch his team a point.
“I am very happy with the team, I think we have deserved (the result). We played with heart. We fought with heart and it is exactly what represents this nation,” said Albania coach Sylvinho.
“This point will serve this team for the rest of their lives. We are a young national team... we have to enter the pitch and use every moment to fight with heart.
“This is a game that I will remember all my life.”
Croatia, World Cup semi-finalists in 2022, will now likely need to win their final match against holders Italy on June 24 to reach the knockout phase.
Albania have won plenty of plaudits with their performances against both Italy, in a 2-1 defeat, and Croatia, but could not hold a lead in either game and will also probably have to beat Spain to keep their last-16 hopes alive.
As it stands, Spain and Italy, who take on each other on June 20, have three points after one game. Albania are level with Croatia on one point but ahead on goal difference.
Croatia were ultimately made to pay for a poor first-half display at the Volksparkstadion. Albania scored the fastest goal in European Championship history after just 23 seconds against Italy and they made another quick start.
It took only 11 minutes for them to break the deadlock this time, as Laci ghosted into the area unmarked to nod home.
Croatia tried to impose their passing game, but Albania continued to look the more dangerous side.
Dalic responded by making two changes at the interval, bringing on Luka Sucic and Mario Pasalic for the ineffective Lovro Majer and Marcelo Brozovic.
Those substitutions brought about a quick improvement from Croatia, and they finally found a way through in the 74th minute as Kramaric’s composed finish made it 1-1.
The turnaround appeared to be complete two minutes later as Sucic’s close-range effort was blocked, but only against the unfortunate Gjasula and into an empty net.
Albania did not give up, however, and Gjasula made amends by sweeping a loose ball home to send Albanian fans into a frenzy.
“This was a difficult match, with two totally different halves,” said Dalic.
“The first half was very bad and the second much better, which is encouraging for the (next) match with Italy. We shall prepare and do all in our power to go on.”
AFP, REUTERS
