The second round of fixtures in Group B kicked off in dramatic fashion in what was one of the games of the tournament so far, with Albania drawing 2-2 with Croatia to blow the group wide open.
Albania got off to another dream start in this fixture, not quite within 20 seconds like it was against Italy but just after 11 minutes, Jasir Asani floated in a great cross that was met by Qazim Laçi who guided the header past Dominik Livaković to make it 1-0.
There was relentless attacking pressure throughout from Croatia who were frustrated by Albania’s stern defence but in the 74th minute, Andrej Kramarić fired a low strike into the bottom corner to equalise.
The match was then turned on its head just two minutes later when Albanian substitute Klaus Gjasula inadvertently turned the ball into his own net to make it 2-1.
However, Gjasula would become the hero for Albania as he struck a composed finish into the bottom corner deep into added time to rescue a point and keep their hopes of qualification alive.
Here are the player ratings from a potential game of the tournament.
Croatia
Dominik Livaković - 7/10
Croatia dominated the ball having 67% possession overall and had Albania pinned back inside their own box for large parts of the second half. As a result, Dominik Livaković’s performance went slightly under the radar but the keeper did make five saves to keep his side in the game at times.
Ivan Perišić - 6/10
In an attacking sense, Ivan Perišić was a constant threat down the left hand side for Croatia with his intelligent runs creating countless crossing opportunities. However the veteran international failed to press Asani and allowed him to cut inside and provide the assist for Albania’s opener.
Joško Gvardiol - 6/10
Joško Gvardiol has proved his versatility all across the back line and was solid defensively yet again but the Manchester City defender found himself playing as a midfielder due to Albania’s low defensive shape and he struggled to distribute the ball through the lines and create openings for the attacking players.
Josip Šutalo - 4/10
Josip Šutalo had a game to forget at the heart of the Croatia defence. Not known for his goal scoring prowess, the Ajax defender missed a guilt edged chance to make it 1-1, when he headed Luka Modric’s corner wide of the goal from a few yards out. It went from bad to worse for the defender who failed to stop Mitaj’s cutback allowing Albania to equalise deep into added time.
Josip Juranović - 6/10
Josip Juranović failed to have a major influence on the game but the Union Berlin defender dealt with Albania’s counter attacks well for the most part and was solid in defence.
Matteo Kovačić - 6/10
After being somewhat of a bystander in the first half, the Manchester City midfielder had a much better second 45 as he helped to pull the strings in midfield and create chances for his teammates but ultimately it was not Kovačić’s typical level of performance for his country.
Marcelo Brozović - 5/10
Marcelo Brozović was unlucky to be subbed off at halftime as anyone in the red and white of Croatia could have been taken off after a lacklustre first half performance but the 31-year-old midfielder failed to influence the game in the way he has done for so many years for his country.
Luka Modrić - 7/10
Due to the group standings, yesterday’s draw was potentially the penultimate time that the legendary Luka Modrić will play for his country and he will be disappointed he was not able to impose himself more on the fixture.
The Real Madrid midfielder worked tirelessly in the centre of the pitch to create openings for his teammates but failed to unlock the strong Albanian defence.
Andrej Kramarić - 7/10
Andrej Kramarić was a constant threat throughout with the way in which he popped up in different pockets of space in behind the Albanian midfield which made him very difficult to mark.
Hoffenheim’s record goalscorer took his goal incredibly well with a composed finish into the bottom left hand corner which sparked the turnaround for Croatia.
Bruno Petković - 5/10
Instructed to be Croatia’s target man against a tall Albania side, Bruno Petković’s hold up and link up play was unfortunately about the only positive from his performance.
A lack of service potentially, but the 29-year-old failed to convert his three chances and was taken off without registering a shot on target.
Lovro Majer - 4/10
Just like Brozović, Lovro Majer was unfortunate to be hooked at half time. The winger failed to make a lasting impact in the first 45 but he was able to help out defensively when Albania counter-attacked.
Substitutes:
Luka Sučić - 6/10
After coming on at halftime, Luka Sučić brought a sense of urgency and energy to a tame Croatia side and helped to create more attacking chances straight after being introduced.
However, the 21-year-old midfielder showed his lack of experience and naivety when he failed to track the run of Gjasula into the Croatia penalty area, leading to the equaliser.
Mario Pašalić - 7/10
Mario Pašalić was brought on to fill the boots of Brozović and he did so expertly. The Atalanta midfielder influenced the tempo of the passing for Croatia and bossed the park in the second half, allowing Modrić to have more of an impact on the attacking play.
Ante Budimir - 7/10
After being introduced with 20 minutes left to play, Ante Budimir made an instant impact just five minutes later when he poked the ball into the path of Kramarić who converted to score Croatia’s first goal of the tournament.
Borna Sosa N/A
Martin Baturina N/A
Albania
Thomas Strakosha - 8/10
Thomas Strakosha played a pivotal role in a historic point for his nation, making eight saves in the match. The Brentford goalkeeper was unfortunate to concede two goals at no fault of his own and kept his side in the game when the pressure was on.
Mario Mitaj - 6/10
The way in which Croatia’s attacking players switched positions and had free roam in their attacking play made it incredibly difficult for Albania to man mark but Mario Mitaj dealt with the pressure well and made important interceptions throughout.
Berat Djimsiti - 7/10
Albania’s captain Berat Djimsiti put in another dominant display, leading by example as he frequently blocked Croatia’s waves of attack and put his body on the line countless times to ensure his country walked away with a result.
Arlind Ajeti - 6/10
Arlind Ajeti, like the rest of the Albania side, worked relentlessly to stop Croatia’s talented forwards. The 30-year-old defender was on hand throughout the match to play precise passes that started various counter attacks for his country when intercepting Croatia’s advances.
Elseid Hysaj - 6/10
For the majority of the match, Elseid Hysaj dealt with anything and everything that came down his right hand side and defended very well as part of that solid back four unit Albania played with.
However, both goals originated down that right hand side for Croatia with the Napoli defender unable to stop both crosses being played into the six yard box that led to the goals.
Kristjan Asllan i- 7/10
The talented young midfielder dictated play when Albania finally picked up the ball and was influential in starting numerous counter attacks, looking very assured in the centre of the park.
However, Kristjan Asllani will be kicking himself for failing to convert a gleaming chance in the first half after being played through on goal but Livaković made a great stop to deny the 22-year-old.
Ylber Ramadani - 7/10
Ylber Ramadani’s performance will most likely have gone under the radar due to the fact that Croatia dominated all the ball but the Lecce midfielder was pivotal in Albania picking up a point as he sat in front of the defence and thwarted countless Croatia attacks.
Qazim Laçi - 7/10
Qazim Laçi’s goal after just 11 minutes looked set to spark one of the greatest upsets in EURO history. It was not to be in the end but the attacking midfielder showed intelligent movement to position himself in between the Croatian centre backs and guide the ball into the back of the net.
Nedim Bajrami - 7/10
Nedim Bajrami failed to add to his tally at EURO 2024 in this fixture but it was not without trying. The Sassuolo winger provided a constant outlet on the counter attack throughout the first half particularly and was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet.
Jasir Asani - 7/10
In the 64th minute, Jasir Asani was taken off in what was a surprise substitution after a positive first half performance. The right winger played a crucial role in the opener when he cut inside onto his favoured left foot and floated a pinpoint ball over the Croatian defence to assist Laçi.
Rey Manaj - 7/10
Again like Bajrami and Asani, Rey Manaj provided Albania with a persistent counter-attacking threat and worked the Croatia defence tirelessly despite little service being provided to the striker in the way of clear cut chances.
Substitutes:
Klaus Gjasula - 7/10
It was quite possibly the most chaotic substitute appearance in Euro history from Klaus Gjasula. Just three minutes after being introduced, the defender scored a calamitous own goal to put Croatia 2-1 up.
The 34-year-old redeemed himself, however, in dramatic fashion as he calmly converted Mario Mitaj’s cutback to earn Albania an invaluable point in the fifth minute of added time.
Taulant Seferi - 5/10
After being introduced in the 65th minute, Taulant Seferi was unable to make his mark on the match as he had to be a part of a very defensive set up in the latter stages which saw Albania pinned back in their defensive third.
Mirlind Daku N/A
Arber Hoxha N/A
