This Wednesday, at the Volksparkstadion, Croatia and Albania faced each other in a game valid for the second round of the group stage of the European Championship. With goals from Kramaric and Gjasula (own goal), for the Croatians, and Laci and Gjasula, for the Albanians, the duel ended in a 2-2 draw.
With the result, Croatia remains at the bottom of Group B, now with one point. The team led by Sylvinho also did not change its position, remaining in third place, also with one point.
Next Monday, in the final round of the Eurocup group stage, Croatia will face the Italian team at the Red Bull Arena Leipzig. Albania, in turn, duels with Spain at the Esprit Arena, also on Monday.
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The game got off to a frenetic start and Albania opened the scoring just 10 minutes into the first half. After the team exchanged passes around the area, the ball reached Jasir Asani, who, from the right, crossed towards the goal and saw Qazim Laci complete the ball into the back of the net.
In the 30th minute, the Albanians almost doubled the score. Kristjan Asllani received a great pass from the ball and came face to face with goalkeeper Livakovic, who was forced to make a great save.
Croatia’s best opportunity in the first half occurred in stoppage time, in the 46th minute. Kramaric received a cross in the area and headed towards the goal. Although the referee whistled for a foul on the attacker’s part, goalkeeper Strakosha made a great save.
Croatia returned to the second half at a completely different pace and came close to tying the game with Sucic. In the fourth minute, he received the ball inside the area, hit the goal hard and Strakosha made another good save. In the next move, Pasalic got a good header, but finished over the goal.
In the 12th minute, the team led by Modric was scary again. The number 10 took a corner and saw Sutalo appear alone inside the small area to finish. However, the defender ended up wasting the great opportunity.
Petkovic had another great chance to tie the match for Croatia in the 22nd minute, when he received a cross, rose above the opponent’s marking and headed dangerously over the goal.
After much insistence, the equalizer finally came in the 28th minute. In a quick passing game, Kramaric received the ball inside the area, cut the marker and hit the counterfoot of the rival archer, who could do nothing this time.
Croatia continued to press and turned the match around just three minutes later. In an unlucky move on Albania’s part, defender Djimsiti even saved the ball at first, but then the ball hit Gjasula and went into his own goal.
When the game already seemed to be resolved, Albania found a goal at the end of stoppage time, more precisely in the 49th minute. Mitaj appeared on the left wing, crossed backwards and, after the opposing defender cleared it poorly, the ball fell to Gjasula, who redeemed himself after the own goal and tied the match.
Source: Gazetaesportiva
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