Talk about a game that had it all. Early goals, history created to stunning comebacks! Arguably the most entertaining game of the UEFA Euro 2024 was played when Italy took on Albania. The defending champions were sent into a state of shock after conceding a goal after just 23 seconds. But, the Azzuri stage a quick comeback to secure a 2-1 win over Albania.
What a Start!
Underdogs Albania were determined to prove a point. A wrong pass from Di Marco and Italy had to pay a hefty price. Nedim Bajrami went into the history books after opening the scoring after 22 seconds (official time). This was the fastest ever goal scored in the European Championship finals.
With the centre backs of Giorgio Chiellini and Giorgio Chiellini, Italy were stunned early into the game. But the Azzuri regained composure within a few seconds and went on mount barrages of attacks after the rocky opening.
Instant Reply
A team going through a transition, didn’t find it much hard to find the equaliser. Albania had to finally crumble under the pressure after Italy got the equaliser in the 11th minute. A short corner as Di Marco lays off for Pellegrini who whips it long and deep inside the box. A diving Alessandro Bastoni header made it 1-1 for the defending champions.
It took Italy 17 minutes to stage the comeback. A thunder strike from Nicolo Barella saw the defending champs take the lead for the first time in the game. After a lot of scuffle inside the box, a stray ball falls into the path of Di Marco. The left back lays the ball behind for an advancing Barella.
The Inter midfielder unleashed a piledrive from outside the box to put the ball into the bottom corner of the net. Despite his lunging dive, Albania goalie Thomas Strakosha failed keep the ball away.
Past the half hour mark, Italy came close to making to 3-1. Frattesi’s dink was saved by Strakosha to divert the ball to hit the side netting. The Albanian goalie saved his sides from the blushes yet again when he saved a point blank shot from Gianluca Scamacca.
Both sides came close to scoring in a few more times but it yielded nothing. Eventually, the two quick strikes from Bastoni and Barella was enough for Italy to grab all three points from the game.
