Albania snatch late draw to dent Croatia's hopes
Dramatic equaliser in stoppage time
Croatia 2-1 Albania
Albania scored a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser to deny Croatia a victory that severely dents the 2018 World Cup finalists hopes of reaching the last 16 of Euro 2024.
With Croatia leading 2-1, Albania poured forward on the counter-attack and won a free-kick on the edge of the area. Substitute Myrto Uzuni stepped up and curled a superb effort into the top corner to snatch a point for his side.
The result leaves Croatia bottom of Group E with just one point from their opening two matches, while Albania move up to second with four points. Croatia must now beat England in their final group game and hope other results go their way if they are to progress to the knockout stages.
Albania, meanwhile, are now in a strong position to reach the last 16. They will face Romania in their final group game, knowing that a win or a draw will be enough to see them through.
The match was played in front of a sell-out crowd in Hamburg, and the atmosphere was electric. Both teams played with great passion and intensity, and the game was end-to-end throughout.
Croatia took the lead in the first half through a stunning strike from Luka Modric. The Real Madrid midfielder picked up the ball outside the area and unleashed a powerful shot that flew into the top corner.
Albania equalised in the second half through Armando Broja. The Chelsea striker latched onto a loose ball in the area and fired a low shot into the bottom corner.
Croatia regained the lead in the 77th minute through Andrej Kramaric. The Hoffenheim striker headed home a cross from Josip Juranovic.
But Albania had the last word, with Uzuni's dramatic equaliser in stoppage time. The result leaves Croatia's hopes of reaching the last 16 hanging by a thread, while Albania are now in a strong position to progress.
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