Euro 2024: Unsuccessful comeback, Croatia shares points with Albania in extra time

Ignoring the deadlocked first half, Croatia had an explosive second half to take the lead for the first time in the match with a score of 2-1. However, in the final minutes of extra time, Croatia's slump and resilient fighting spirit helped Albania regain 1 point to keep their hopes of reaching the round of 16 alive, even though they had to beat Spain in the final match.

Dominating the ball control in the first half with a rate of more than 60%, Modric and his teammates did not create any notable situations against the opponent who was considered to be less professional. In the 26th minute, Petkovic headed over the bar, which was the most notable situation in the half.

On the contrary, the weaker team Albania, every time they crossed the ball into the penalty area, would make the Croatian goal unstable. They even caused a surprise when they opened the score against Croatia. Crossing from the right wing into the penalty area, Laci headed the ball delicately close to the goal, causing Livakovic to pick the ball out of the net.

In the 30th minute, Albania had another situation facing the goal, but the excellence of the Croatian goalkeeper made the opponent regret. Before that, this situation originated from Luka Modric's bad pass, helping the opponent organize a counterattack.

Luka Modric almost became a sinner in the first half

After the break, Croatia had a better game with Susic and Kovacic firing towards Strakosha's goal. In the first 15 minutes of the half, Croatia took turns strengthening their personnel from the bench to replace veterans Brozovic and Petkovic.

From a central attack, Kramaric received the ball in the penalty area, took a step to deceive the opponent's defender and then fired a shot into the near corner, bringing the match back to the starting line in the 74th minute.

Kramaric scores first goal for Croatia

In the 75th minute, Croatian players made the Albanian goalkeeper lose momentum, but a lack of understanding caused them to miss the opportunity.

Just a minute later, Croatia took the lead for the first time. Ante Budimir dribbled down the touchline and passed to substitute Luka Sucic, who fired a shot that hit two Albanian players in opposite directions into the net.

After that, Albania had to push up their formation to find an equalizer but encountered high pressing from Croatia.

Albania won 1 point in the last minute of injury time against Croatia thanks to Gjasula (8)

In the 5th minute of extra time, Croatia's defense lost focus and was not tight enough for Albania to equalize 2-2. From a pass from his teammate, Klaus Gjasula - who let the ball bounce into him for the second goal - made up for his mistake by finishing low past the Croatian goalkeeper.

Klaus Gjasula became the first player in Euro history to score and score an own goal after coming off the bench.

In the end, Albania forced Croatia to share points with a 2-2 draw. With a 0-3 defeat to Spain, Croatia fell to the bottom of Group B with a worse goal difference than Albania (lost 1-2 to Italy in the first round) despite having the same 1 point.

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Source: https://nld.com.vn/euro-2024-nguoc-dong-bat-thanh-croatia-bi-albania-chia-diem-phut-bu-gio-196240619220926752.htm