What a game in Hamburg! Just like against Italy, the Albanians squandered a lead and Croatia turned the game around in the second half. But shortly before the end, Albania managed to equalize 2:2 through Klaus Gjasula.
Croatia and Albania drew 2-2 in a spectacular afternoon match in Hamburg, with both teams keeping their hopes alive after picking up their first points. Albania, however, will be the winners.
This is because Croatia occupy 10th place in the FIFA world rankings. Albania are only number 66 in the world and have never scored at a major final tournament before. It has been nine years since Albania last beat a team in the top ten of the world rankings in an international match.
It was not enough to win against Croatia. But the Albanians led 1:0 until the 74th minute, when Croatia seemingly turned the tide with two goals within 145 seconds. The 34-year-old veteran Klaus Gjasula, a Bundesliga professional at Darmstadt without a valid contract for next season, gave Croatia the lead with an unfortunate own goal. Gjasula had been shot at and need not blame himself for the own goal.
But for Gjasula, the game ended with a happy ending. The course of the game first sent him to hell and then straight back again: in the 95th minute, he scored the late and much-celebrated equalizer to make it 2:2.
Despite the jubilation over the late point win, Albania will also have regrets. As against Italy (1:2 after leading 1:0 after just 22 seconds), the Albanians lapsed into passivity in the second half and let their opponents back into the game. Only when they were behind did they turn on the heat again and played forward again in the final stages.
And Croatia? The favorites changed their system at the break (from 4-3-3 to 4-2-3-1) and came out stronger. However, the Croatians will have to win against Italy to progress. The only good news for the experienced Croatians: they can still qualify for the round of 16 on their own.
The telegram
Croatia - Albania 2:2 (0:1)
Hamburg. - 46'784 spectators. - SR Letexier (FRA). -
Goals: 11. Laci 0:1. 74. Kramaric 1:1. 76. Gjasula (own goal) 2:1. 95. Gjasula 2:2.
Croatia: Livakovic; Juranovic, Sutalo, Gvardiol, Perisic (84. Sosa); Modric, Brozovic (46. Pasalic), Kovacic; Majer (46. Sucic), Petkovic (69. Budimir), Kramaric (84. Baturina).
Albania: Strakosha; Hysaj, Djimsiti, Ajeti, Mitaj; Asllani, Ramadani (85. Hoxha), Laci (73. Gjasula); Asani (64. Seferi), Manaj (85. Daku), Bajrami.
Comments: Croatia without Vlasic (injured). Cautions: 76 Hysaj. 93 Daku. 98 Gjasula.
The live ticker
Croatia
Albania
- Andrej Kramaric - 1:1 (74.)
- Klaus Gjasula - 2:1 (76.)
- (11.) 0:1 - Qazim Laçi
- (90.+5.) 2:2 - Klaus Gjasula
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Liveticker
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Liveticker closed
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#Preview
Who will win the European Championship?
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90.+9.End of 2nd half
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90.+7.Yellow card Albania
Klaus Gjasula
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90.+5.Goal for Albania, 2:2 through Klaus Gjasula
Klaus Gjasula
Midfielder
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90.+4.Yellow card Albania
Mirlind Daku
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87.Yellow card Croatia
Ivica Ivusic
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85.Substitution in Albania
Mirlind Daku
Striker
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85.Substitution out Albania
Rey Manaj
Striker
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85.Substitution in Albania
Arbër Hoxha
Striker
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85.Substitution out Albania
Ylber Ramadani
Midfielder
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84.Substitution in Croatia
Martin Baturina
Midfielder
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84.Substitution out Croatia
Andrej Kramaric
Striker
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84.Substitution in Croatia
Borna Sosa
Defender
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84.Substitution out Croatia
Ivan Perišic
Defender
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77.Yellow card Albania
Elseid Hysaj
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76.Goal for Croatia, 2:1 through an own goal by Klaus Gjasula
Klaus Gjasula
Midfielder
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74.Goal for Croatia, 1:1 through Andrej Kramaric (Ante Budimir)
Andrej Kramaric
Striker
Assist: Ante Budimir
Striker
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72.Substitution in Albania
Klaus Gjasula
Midfielder
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72.Substitution out Albania
Qazim Laçi
Midfielder
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69.Substitution in Croatia
Ante Budimir
Striker
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69.Substitution out Croatia
Bruno Petkovic
Striker
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64.Substitution in Albania
Taulant Seferi
Striker
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64.Substitution out Albania
Jasir Asani
Striker
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46.Substitution in Croatia
Mario Pašalic
Midfielder
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46.Substitution out Croatia
Marcelo Brozovic
Midfielder
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46.Substitution in Croatia
Luka Sucic
Midfielder
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46.Substitution out Croatia
Lovro Majer
Striker
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46.Substitution in Croatia
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46.Substitution out Croatia
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46.Kick-off 2nd half
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45.+3.End of 1st half
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11.Goal for Albania, 0:1 through Qazim Laçi (Jasir Asani)
Qazim Laçi
Midfielder
Assist: Jasir Asani
Striker
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1.Start of the match
