FROM VILLAIN TO HERO FOR GJASULA AS ALBANIA STUN CROATIA
Klaus Gjasula followed up an own goal with a stoppage-time equaliser as Albania stunned Croatia to secure a 2-2 draw following a breathless Group B encounter in Hamburg.
Sylvinho’s Red and Black minnows struck the fastest goal in Euros history in their opener against Italy and they made another rapid start here as Qazim Laci squeezed a header home on 11 minutes.
Albania were perhaps guilty of being too passive in the remainder of their defeat to The Azzurri, but that wasn’t the case on this occasion as Kristjan Asllani and Rey Manaj both missed good opportunities to double the underdog’s tally.
Croatia were shaky at the back and pedestrian in possession but that all changed in the second half as they laid siege to the Albanian defence.
The pressure eventually told with two goals in two minutes. First, Kramaric cut a lovely finish into the bottom corner before a clinical move down the left ended with substitute Gjasula turning an unfortunate ricochet into his own net 14 minutes from time.
However, Gjasula would redeem himself in the fifth minute of stoppage time as he finished off a flowing move down the left to earn the minnows a priceless point.
The result sees Albania take third spot behind Italy and leaders Spain, who both have three points ahead of the top two in Group B facing off on Wednesday evening. Croatia sit bottom with a vastly inferior goal difference.
The Croatians will now face Italy on Monday evening with it all to do to reach the Last 16 while Albania will continue to dream against one of the tournament favourites Spain.
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