Croatia and Albania draw at Euro 2024

Luka Sučić celebates

Croatia and Albania have drawn 2-2 at Volksparkstadion in Hamburg on Wednesday afternoon in their second Euro 2024 match.

Croatia came from behind and looked like they would take all three points before Albania found an equaliser in added time at the end of the match. 

Head coach Zlatko Dalić made several changes to the line-up which started in the 3-0 defeat to Spain on Saturday.

Bruno Petković started in place of Ante Budimir, Ivan Perišić started at left back with Joško Gvardiol moving back into the centre of defence. Josip Juranović also was given a start ahead of Josip Stanišić.

Croatia started the match much like they did against Spain on Saturday, lacking energy, aggression and a game plan.

Far too many times they gave the ball away and they looked slow and lethargic in attack. Albania would make them pay and would take the lead in the 11th minute.

1-0 Albania

A counter-attack from Albania would see Qazim Laci charge into the penalty area and head home unchallenged. None of the Croatian players were near him, although keeper Dominik Livaković should have done better with the Albanian midfielder’s header.

Albania continued to put pressure on the Croatian defence throughout a nightmare first half for the large number of Croatian fans at Volksparkstadion.

A good save from Livaković prevented Albania doubling their lead as Croatia looked tired and out of ideas going forward.

HT | 🇭🇷 0:1 🇦🇱

End of the first half. #CROALB#EURO2024 #PokažiSrce #Family #Vatreni❤️‍🔥 pic.twitter.com/yHaSFR8xdV

— HNS (@HNS_CFF) June 19, 2024

Dalić made substations at halftime, bringing on Luka Sučić and Mario Pašalić on for Marcelo Brozović and Lovro Majer.

Immediately Croatia were much improved and they started to threaten the Albanian goal. Sučić had a chance saved, before Pašalić went close with a header.

Despite the injection of fresh legs and energy, Croatia still found it difficult to break down the stacked Albanian defence. Dalić continued to make substitutions as Croatia frantically tried to get back into the game and finally the breakthrough came.

1-1

Andrej Kramarić makes it 1-1 in the 74th minute. Just when it was needed the most, Kramarić appeared, calmly controlled the ball, shifted it from his left to his right foot, and then scored with ease.

Croatia then went in front 3 minutes later.

2-1 Croatia

Budimir would square the ball back to Sučić and his shot would deflect off an Albanian defender into the back of the net.

Croatia would go close to extending their lead, Budimir should have better when their was confusion in the Albanian deffence and Modrić had a long-range shot brush past the post. 

2-2 

Albania would score in the 94th minute when Gjasula would finish after a cross from the left, a bitter blow for the Croatian fans. 

Croatia now face Italy in their final group match on Monday night.