CROATIA’S Euro 2024 knockout stage qualification hopes are hanging by a thread after being held to a chaotic draw by Albania.
Luca Modric and Co were stunned when they saw Qazim Laci sneak in behind their defence before nodding Albania ahead.
But Andrej Kramaric’s tidy finish followed by a calamitous own goal saw Croatia close in on three crucial points.
Until Klaus Gjasula scored an equaliser in the dying minutes of stoppage time.
- RESULT: Croatia 2-2 Albania
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- Croatia XI: Livakovic, Juranovic, Sutalo, Gvardiol, Perisic, Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic, Majer, Petkovic, Kramaric
- Albania XI: Strakosha, Hysaj, Ajeti, Djimsiti, Mitaj, Ramadani, Asllani, Laçi, Asani, Manaj, Bajrami
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Good result for group favourites
Both Spain and Italy will be pleased to see a draw in this game.
While they play each other tomorrow, that result aside, it means that both Croatia and Albania would need to pull off unlikely victories.
For Albania, this result is a huge positive but Croatia are facing the harsh reality of an early exit.
Falcons pick off their prey
Albania have left Croatia feeling like they have suffered defeat there.
Having worked so hard to turn the game around, the late equaliser from Gjasula left the ‘Checkered Ones’ dead on their feet.
The Falcons meanwhile, have shown in this tournament that they are nobody’s pushovers.
Credit: AP Credit: AP Credit: AFP Hamburg serves up meaty battle
What a game of football we were treated to there.
In different phases of the game, both of these sides were brilliant and looked sure to go on and dominate the game.
However, we just saw how a game of football can change in an instant.
Some players cannot be replaced
When Luka Modric steps away from international football, he will leave a huge hole in this Croatian side.
Even at the age of 38-years-old, he continuously pulls the strings for Croatia.
His vision, passing and composure was key for them to get back into this game and almost win it.
FT: Croatia 2-2 Albania
This is what tournament football is all about.
Albania deservedly led before Croatia completely turned the game on its head in a matter of minutes.
Deep into added time, The Falcons score to leave Croatian fans feeling sick to their stomach.
FT: Croatia 2-2 Albania
The referee brings a dramatic game to a close.
Both sides had chances to win this after the equaliser late on.
What a game of football we have witnessed.
Croatia 2-2 Albania
90+6. Wow. Wow. Wow.
What drama we are seeing in Hamburg.
Albania continue to pressure and Broja does well down the left flank to get a cross into the box.
Gjasula arrives at the edge of the box to slot home and make ammends for his earlier own goal.
Goal – Klaus Gjasula (Albania)
Croatia 2-1 Albania
90+4. Wow. Seferi has two gilt-edged chances to score.
The first is blocked by the defender but as the ball comes back to the Albanian, he blazes his effort over the bar.
Croatia breath a sigh of relief.
Croatia 2-1 Albania
90+2. Weirdly, the fourth official changes the added time to six minutes.
The keeper has been receiving treatment for a phantom injury and now has his nose plugged with dressing.
However, looking at the replay, there was no contact with his head from the Albanian player whatsoever.
Croatia 2-1 Albania
90. If Croatia can hold onto this result, it will leave them with an intriguing last game against Italy.
Albania get a shot in from the edge of the box but Likakovic makes a good stop.
The Falcons are first to the follow up but once again the keeper gets a touch as the ball goes over the bar.
No corner for Albania as the assistant raises his flag for offside.
We are going to have five added minutes.
Croatia 2-1 Albania
88. Modric rides a challenge and looks to drill one from outside the box.
He drags it wide of the far post with the keeper at full stretch.
Time is running out now for the Albanians.
Croatia 2-1 Albania
86. Albania are starting to dominate possession now.
As they look for a goal that could give them something from this game, Croatia are looking to hit them on the counter.
The Falcons’ fans look dejected in the stands.
Croatia 2-1 Albania
84. Perisic and Kramaric come off for Croatia.
They are replaced by Baturina and Sosa.
Albania are having to throw caution to the wind now.
Croatia 2-1 Albania
82. Albania just do not have enough bodies in the final third whenever they come forward.
They are not set up tactically to chase this game.
Up until ten minutes ago, they were planning on defending their lead until the finish.
Credit: Getty
Croatia 2-1 Albania
80. Croatia look a completely different team in this second half.
Whatever the manager said in the interval has definitely worked.
The pressure is on Albania to get forward now.
Croatia 2-1 Albania
78. Suddenly Croatia are in pole position once again.
If they can hold on for victory, they stand a good chance of making it out of the group.
They are not letting up here and continue to look for another goal.
Croatia 2-1 Albania
76. Croatia have turned this game on its head in a matter of minutes.
Looking at the replay the ball ricocheted off two Albanian players before ending up in the back of the net.
Heartbreak for The Falcons.
Own Goal – Klaus Gjasula (Albania)
Croatia 1-1 Albania
74. Finally Croatia manage to break down the Albanian resistance.
As Kramaric checks onto his right foot, the defender does that weird thing they do in the modern game.
He stands side on to the attacker, not looking to tackle him, and the Croatian puts the ball through his legs leaving the keeper unsighted.
Goal – Andrej Kramaric (Croatia)
Croatia 0-1 Albania
72. Albania are getting some pivotal last ditch tackles in.
They are managing to frustrate the Croatians with time running out.
The goalscorer comes off for Albania, replaced by Gjasula.
Credit: EPA Croatia 0-1 Albania
70. It is an old cliche in football but Albania need to ‘stop the cross’.
Perisic is getting some dangerous balls in and it seems only a matter of time before Croatia capitalise.
Modric comes over to take a corner for the Croatians.
Croatia 0-1 Albania
68. Perisic twists and turns out wide before getting a teasing cross in.
Petkovic meets it with a header but it is not troubling the keeper.
That is his last action of this game as he is replaced by Budimir.
Croatia 0-1 Albania
66. First sight of goal for Bajrami in this second half.
He jockeys the defender and gets a shot off at goal but it is well wide.
As Croatia push forward more now, that break is always on.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
