Croatia and Albania drew 2-2 (0-1) in their second group match at the European Championships in Hamburg on Wednesday (June 19, 2024). The favorites had big problems for a long time. Albania took the lead early on: Qazim Laçi scored to make it 1-0 in the 11th minute.
The Croatians only became stronger after the break and turned the game around with goals from Andrej Kramarić (74th minute) and an own goal from Klaus Gjasula (76th). But it was also Gjasula who equalized in injury time (90th+5) and secured Albania the sensational point.
To the live ticker: Croatia vs Albania Arrow right 2nd group matchday Arrow right
Albania once again takes its first chance
Croatian coach Zlatko Dalić made three changes to his starting eleven compared to the opening defeat against Spain. The experienced long-time Bundesliga professional Ivan Perišić was brought into the team, as was Union Berlin defender Josip Juranović, who replaced Leverkusen’s Josip Stanišić. Chelsea striker Armando Broja initially sat on the bench for the Albanians.
The underdog Albania showed early on that they could hurt the Croatians. As against Italy, the Albanians used their first good attack to take the lead: Jasir Asani was not really disturbed by Perišić on the right and crossed perfectly from the half-field into the path of Qazim Laçi. The attacking midfielder was not consistently pursued or passed by Croatia’s Marcelo Brozović and headed the ball in from a free position to give his team a 1-0 lead (11′).
Modrić, Brozović and Co too sluggish
The Albanians continued to find themselves in good transition situations, and coach Sylvinho’s game plan worked almost perfectly in the first half. Croatia, on the other hand, struggled to play offensively: too slow, not very creative and hardly variable – the once feared Croatian midfield of Luka Modrić, Mateo Kovačić and Marcelo Brozović could hardly impress the Albanians.
The favorite’s best chances were a shot by Brozovic (20th) from the edge of the penalty area and a header by striker Bruno Petković (27th) – the former flew well wide, the latter well over the goal.
In the 31st minute, the Albanians had a great chance to extend their lead: Croatia’s captain Modrić lost the ball in midfield with a too casual outside-of-the-foot pass, Albania quickly switched, but Kristjan Asllani was stopped by Croatia’s goalkeeper Dominik Livaković. Shortly before half-time, striker Rey Manaj also failed with a header from close range (45.+1). The 1-0 half-time lead was deserved and even too low.
Croatia improved after the break
Croatia coach Dalić then made two substitutions and started with Brozović put one of his big three on the bench. His team was now more dynamic, the first good and direct combination was finished by substitute Luka Sučić too imprecisely for Albania goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha (50′).
However, the Croatians came closer to equalising, but the best chance was missed by centre-back Josip Šutalo, who headed a Modrić corner well wide of the goal from two metres (58′).
After just over an hour, the Albanians also appeared again with their first counterattacks in the Croatian half. The initial pressure from the favorites now eased somewhat. The Albanians brought in fresh players – Darmstadt professional Klaus Gjasula made his European Championship debut at the age of 34.
Substitute Gjasula becomes the main character
But he had probably imagined it differently. As soon as Gjasula was on the pitch, the Croatians equalized: A dribble by Kovačić opened up the space, and substitute Ante Budimir had the presence of mind to pass the ball on to Kramarić. The Hoffenheim player, on his 33rd birthday, finished with great class into the near corner to make it 1-1, against the direction of the goalkeeper (74′).
The Croatians used the momentum, had another great chance just a minute later and scored a minute later to take a 2-1 lead: Again it was Budimir who set up the goal, the beefy Osasuna striker got past his defender on the left and passed to Mario Pašalić in the middle. His shot was deflected by an Albanian defender directly onto the leg of the retreating Gjasula, from whom it bounced into the goal.
But Gjasula was also the hero for the Albanians: In injury time, the underdog managed to get through on the left side once again. Gjasula was around ten meters from the goal, received a back pass and scored the celebrated equalizer (90th +5). The Albanians more than deserved the 2:2, especially with their strong first half.
On the last matchday of the group stage, Croatia will face Italy in Leipzig (June 23, 2024, 9 p.m.), while Albania will play against Spain in Düsseldorf.
