It may not have been a win, but for Albania it certainly felt like it.
After Klaus Gjasula scored a 95th-minute equaliser in a 2-2 thriller with Croatia, their fans were celebrating the moment long after the final whistle – the sound of drums could be heard as well as the odd firecracker as they made their way from Hamburg’s Volksparkstadion.
An early exit from this summer’s European Championship in Germany is still most likely for Albania, as is the likelihood they will exit without a win, but they have shown they did not come here to just make up the numbers.
They scored after 23 seconds against Italy in their Group B opener, before ultimately losing 2-1, and in this game they again took the lead, before recovering from another turnaround to earn the draw.
“We are proud,” Albania boss Sylvinho said afterwards. “The nation should be proud about the result and the performance.
“The players left everything inside the pitch. It was amazing and represents our people.”
While they shared the same result, the mood was very different for Croatia.
Just two years after they beat Brazil to reach the semi-final of the World Cup in Qatar, they are facing the very real prospect of exiting this tournament at the group stage.
At the final whistle, Croatia players dropped to their knees, knowing just how damaging the blow will be.
After two games in Group B they have just one point and must beat Italy in their final game on Monday to have a chance of progressing.
“The Croatian players were fuming,” ex-Premier League footballer Clinton Morrison said on BBC Radio 5 Live.
“They know they have a tough game against Italy, they have to keep believing, but their body language looks like they are out.”