Just when it looked as though Croatia had disproved their doubters by coming from behind to beat Albania, they let it slip at the end.
As against Italy in their first game, Albania scored with their first shot. Against Italy, it was after just 23 seconds. This time, it came after 11 minutes. But despite struggling in the first half, Croatia took the lead in the second half, with Andrej Kramaric equalising before an unfortunate own goal shortly after.
But then Klaus Gjasula, who had scored the own goal, equalised to rescue a 2-2 draw for Albania.
Both sides, with one point each and one game to play, can still reach the knockouts.
The Athletic’s Carl Anka, Tim Spiers and Dermot Corrigan break down the action.
How did Croatia let it slip?
For much of this game, there was an ‘end of an era’ mood about this Croatia performance.
Despite the 3-0 defeat against Spain in the opener, Croatia’s ageing midfield three of Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic started again together today, and their opening half was again disappointing.
Croatia’s attacks were either too slow or had too many players haring forward helter-skelter. Every time a move broke down, the better-organised Albanians counter-attacked dangerously.
Dalic has shown a lot of faith in players he knows so well, but he knew changes were required. Brozovic, who plays for Saudi Pro League side Al Sadd, was hooked at half-time, along with Lovro Majer.
As the half progressed, Croatia started to push Albania deeper and deeper. Modric kept looking to make things happen, but the 38-year-old saw a shot blocked, while Kovacic hit his chance too close to Albania goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha.
Dalic kept making changes, and gradually they started to open up gaps in the Albania defence, with the addition of another centre-forward, Osasuna’s Ante Budimir, proving important.
Kramaric celebrates his equaliser with Modric (Gabriel Bouys/AFP via Getty Images)
Five minutes after entering, Budimir teed up Kramaric, who wrongfooted Strakosha from 15 yards. Now the momentum was with Croatia. Budimir’s run and cross led to panic in the Albanian defence, with Gjasula putting it into his own net.
All the changes left Croatia even more disorganised, however, and Albania were not done yet either. A 2-2 draw was probably a fair result but whether Dalic’s side go much further remains in question. They will need to beat Italy on Monday to stand a chance of progressing.
Dermot Corrigan
Unluckiest own goal of the Euros?
Oh, Albania. You can praise Croatia for persistence and spirit and generating the most quickfire of turnarounds but, for the goal that gave them the lead, Albania panicked and crumbled under pressure.
After Kramaric’s equaliser, the Albanians were trying to get set in their defensive shape as Croatia attacked again, flailing their arms appealing for a foul that never came — but goodness, did they have a stroke of huge misfortune too.
Elseid Hysaj was too weak in the challenge, allowing Budimir the chance to pull back for Luka Sucic, but his free shot was heroically blocked by captain Berat Djimsiti… only for the ball to ricochet off Gjasula and into the net.
He was unlucky, the ball could have gone anywhere and he redeemed himself in stoppage time, but it rolled over the line and became the latest hugely unlucky own goal at this tournament.
Think Germany’s Antonio Rudiger and Austria’s Maximilian Wober heading into their own nets, or the ball deflecting off Robin Hranac for the Czech Republic against Portugal.
This one felt like the cruellest. Albania, just like against Italy, were ahead and could have pulled off the greatest result in their footballing history. They missed out on that chance but they at least rescued a point through that man again, Gjasula.
Tim Spiers
Incredible afternoon for Gjasula
Gjasula made up for his own goal by sweeping home the equaliser from the penalty spot. The celebrations were just as raucous as you would expect, with Albania coach Sylvinho racing down the sideline and jumping into the arms of an assistant.
With both teams now completely disorganised, Gjasula had another chance from the edge of the box, but the shot was blocked. Seconds later it was Croatia on the attack, with Modric breaking dangerously from half-way, and up popped Gjasula with a lunge which did not make contact, but the evasive action required to save his legs meant the Madrid midfielder lost the ball.
It was a deserved yellow card for the Darmstadt midfielder, who had quite a second half. It was yet another barnstorming game at this tournament, and Gjasula is another previously unheralded name to have made a big impact on everyone watching.
Dermot Corrigan
1 – Albania’s Klaus Gjasula becomes the first substitute in the history of the UEFA European Championship & FIFA World Cup combined to come off the bench and score a goal and an own goal in a match. Redeemer. pic.twitter.com/facz6kKBKb
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 19, 2024
How far can Albania go?
There’s the seed of something good in this Albania side. Sylvinho and Pablo Zabaleta have made for one of the more entertaining dugout duos in a while, and they have helped construct a side that battles hard, but can encounter difficulties in both penalties areas.
Bajrami’s early goal against Italy, and Laci’s lovely near post header against Croatia showed us what this team can do at their peak, but there is only so far a counter-attacking team can go when they lack a clinical edge in front of goal. Mirlind Daku spooned mis-hit in the 88th minute was the sort of chance a team looking to go through as third-place qualifiers cannot miss.
Another goalline scramble in the 90th minute, ending with Daku inadvertently volleying the side of Josko Gvardiol’s head, looked to be the rubber stamp on a gutting defeat.
But then, minutes from time, they got their angles right on the cross. The pull-back pass from Mitaj on the left was delightful. Gjasula’s late run into the penalty box was perfect. The goal saw Hamburg’s stadium erupt in noise and hugs.
If Albania manage to get out of this group as third-place qualifiers, then they would face either the winner of Group E (the chaos group containing Belgium), or F (which could be topped by Turkey or Portugal).
There’s a good Plan A to this Albania team. For much of the first half they carefully contained Croatia’s play and often outfought them for second balls. Kristijan Allani gave a glimpse as to why he will likely be Marcelo Brozovic’s successor at Inter Milan. The 22-year-old is composed in possession and combative out of it. There’s clever passing between all the physical counter-pressing. All they need is a more dynamic goalscoring option up front (it was telling that Armando Broja was an unused sub).
At the moment, Albania’s Plan B looks to be, “Do Plan A, but run even harder”. It gave themselves a boxer’s chance against Spain on Monday.
(Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
What next for Croatia?
Monday, June 24: Italy (Leipzig), 8pm BST, 3pm ET
What next for Albania?
Monday, June 24: Spain (Dusseldorf) 8pm BST, 3pm ET
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(Top photo: GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP via Getty Images)
