Croatia and Albania will face off in Hamburg as both sides look to grab their first points of Euro 2024.
Zlatko Dalic’s Croatia team were deservedly beaten by Spain in their opening game, with a disappointing display leading to a 3-0 loss, but their recent overachievements in tournament football mean that their spirits won’t be too dampened by that result.
The Croatians, led by 38-year-old Luka Modric, will be fully aware that three points against their Balkan neighbours will stand them in good stead to qualify in second or even third place in Group B.
Albania, who are fresh of scoring the quickest goal in European Championship history, will have gained some confidence from their performance against Italy, and the competition’s second-lowest ranked team will hope to spring a surprise against their esteemed opponents.
Follow all the latest news and match action in our live blog below, as well as the build-up to Germany vs Hungary and Scotland vs Switzerland:
Euro 2024: Croatia 0-0 Albania
Much better from Albania. For the last few minutes, every time they’ve won the ball they’ve tried the quick counter, but this time they keep the ball in defence before trying to build from the back.
Chris Wilson19 June 2024 14:11
Euro 2024: Croatia 0-0 Albania
Croatia win a free-kick near the edge of the area, and it’ll be Modric to deliver. He clips it into space in the box, but there’s nobody putting pressure on the defender.
Chris Wilson19 June 2024 14:10
Euro 2024: Croatia 0-0 Albania
Croatia’s short corner routine comes to nothing, but Brozovic helps them keep possession.
Albania are staying very narrow and compact in defence, and they end up hooking the cross away, though it’s straight to a red-and-white shirt.
Chris Wilson19 June 2024 14:08
Euro 2024: Croatia 0-0 Albania
Albania are looking to go direct at almost every opportunity as the game begins. Manaj has had plenty of touches already.
Chris Wilson19 June 2024 14:06
Euro 2024: Croatia 0-0 Albania
No goal within the first minute for Albania this time. Disappointing.
Croatia dominating possession in the early stages here.
Chris Wilson19 June 2024 14:03
KICK-OFF! Croatia 0-0 Albania
KICK-OFF! Albania get us underway in the second game of the day.
Chris Wilson19 June 2024 14:01
Euro 2024: Croatia 0-0 Albania
We’re almost underway as the national anthems are wrapped up. Who’ll get the vital three points?
Chris Wilson19 June 2024 14:00
Euro 2024: Croatia vs Albania
The anthems are over and we’re ready for kick-off, a must-win for Croatia, but Albania are confident they can build on their performance against Italy.
Jack Rathborn19 June 2024 13:58
Croatia lose Nikola Vlasic to injury
Croatia midfielder Nikola Vlasic has withdrawn from the European Championship because of a muscle injury.
The news was announced by the country’s soccer federation on Tuesday, a day before Croatia‘s group B match against Albania.
Vlasic was in doubt for Croatia‘s squad ahead of the Euros due to an injury while playing for Torino in Serie A. He was included anyway and came on as a substitute in a friendly against Portugal but remained on the bench in Croatia‘s Euro 2024 opener, a 3-0 loss against Spain.
The federation said he sustained a new injury that ruled him out of playing in the tournament.
“I’m extremely sorry that this new injury will prevent me from helping the team,” Vlasic said in the federation’s statement on X.
Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic confirmed Tuesday that Vlasic had left the team after an MRI. Dalic said all other players were fit for Tuesday’s match in Hamburg.
Jack Rathborn19 June 2024 13:44