Albania held Croatia to a 2-2 draw in a thrilling Euro 2024 group-stage match in Hamburg on Wednesday, leaving the latter at risk of an early exit from the tournament. Klaus Gjasula of Albania scored at both ends, including a dramatic equaliser in injury time. Albania took an early lead through Qazim Laci, but Croatia improved in the second half after making two substitutions at half-time.
Andrej Kramaric levelled the score with 16 minutes remaining, and Gjasula then put through his own net. However, the Albania midfielder redeemed himself by scoring in the fifth minute of injury time to secure a point for his team. Croatia, semi-finalists at the 2022 World Cup, will likely need a victory against holders Italy in their final Group B match on June 24 to progress to the knockout phase for a fifth consecutive major tournament.
Albania, despite earning praise for their performances against Italy and Croatia, have been unable to hold onto leads in both games and will probably need to defeat Spain to keep their last-16 hopes alive. Croatia's lacklustre first-half display ultimately cost them, and their 'golden generation' is now in danger of exiting the tournament in disappointing fashion. Coach Zlatko Dalic made no changes to his formation from the Spain defeat, but brought in Ivan Perisic at left-back and moved Josko Gvardiol into central defence.
The atmosphere inside the stadium was electric, with supporters of both teams creating one of the best ambiences of the tournament so .