In a gripping Euro 2024 encounter on Wednesday, Albania secured a dramatic 2-2 draw against Croatia with a last-gasp equalizer.
Though the outcome leaves both teams facing an uphill battle to advance to the last-16.
Klaus Gjasula played a dual role, scoring the decisive equalizer in added time after earlier conceding an own goal that put Croatia ahead in the Group B match at the Volksparkstadion.
With only one point each from their first two games, both teams now need a victory in their final group matches on Monday to have any hope of reaching the knockout stages.
Since the tournament expanded to 24 teams in 2016, no team has advanced to the next round with just two draws — a challenge now faced by the two nations as they vie for one of the spots reserved for the best third-placed finishers.
Albania initially took the lead, but Croatia turned the game around with two quick goals, sparking a series of twists and turns amid a charged atmosphere.
Andrej Kramaric scored the equalizer in the 74th minute, followed by Gjasula’s own goal two minutes later, as Croatia, who were thrashed 3-0 by Spain in their first match, fought back.
In the second half, Croatia relentlessly attacked Albania’s goal after a shaky first half that saw them trailing at the break.
Qazim Laci’s 11th-minute header gave Albania an early advantage, reminiscent of their swift goal against Italy in their opener.
This time, it was a more patient build-up, with Jasir Asani’s cross from the right finding Laci, who headed it past goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic.
Livakovic, who could have done better on that occasion, later redeemed himself with crucial saves, thwarting Kristjan Asllani and Rey Manaj to keep Albania from extending their lead.
Albania’s tenacity and quick counterattacks belied their low FIFA ranking, standing 56 places below 10th-ranked Croatia.
Croatia’s double substitution at halftime ramped up their pressure, but Thomas Strakosha’s saves kept Albania ahead until Kramaric’s birthday goal in the 74th minute, which he slotted through Elseid Hysaj’s legs, wrong-footing Strakosha.
Shortly after, Gjasula’s own goal came as a rebound off Berat Djimsiti’s block deflected into the net from Ante Budimir’s shot, set up by Mario Pasalic’s byline pull-back.
Yet Albania was undeterred, with Gjasula redeeming himself by scoring in the fifth minute of added time, ensuring a thrilling finish.
“This is why everyone loves football. In the last seconds, sometimes you score a goal to win, sometimes you concede,” Kramaric reflected.
Albania’s final group game against Spain in Düsseldorf offers a slim hope, as Gjasula noted, “We know that the game with Spain is very difficult but in football everything is possible. If we will play like today everything can happen.”
Croatia faces Italy in Leipzig simultaneously, with coach Zlatko Dalic remaining optimistic.
“The first half was very bad but the second much better, which is encouraging for the match with Italy,” he said. “We are still in the game, we shall prepare and do all in our power to go on.”
