All is to play for at the European Championships with Group B concluding today. Can Italy recover? Can Croatia come through? Or will Albania stage an upset?

Croatia v Italy

Though it didn’t have the makings of a thriller, Croatia v Albania kicked off matchday 2 with a stylish 2:2 draw. For Croatia, it was a rollercoaster ride of emotions that took its first turn when the Albanian Qazim Laci headed home for the opening goal. The early deficit and the ensuing tepid half of sideways football felt like the final dagger in this aging Croatian side. Luka Modrić (38 yrs), Marcelo Brozović (31 yrs), and Mateo Kovačić (30 yrs) looked their age in midfield as Croatia completely lacked fitness and dynamism throughout the first 45 minutes in Hamburg. 

Fortunately, Zlatko Dalic made some smart substitutions. Luka Sucic and Mario Pasalic were brought in place of Marcelo Brozović and Lovro Majer at halftime, giving the Croatian game a newfound energy. Still, it was the 69th-minute introduction of Ante Budimir that ultimately changed the game. The 32-year-old was one of the most impactful forwards in Europe’s top 5 leagues this season, scoring 17 goals for an otherwise lackluster CA Osasuna attack. While Budimir continued to wait for his first goal at an international tournament, he nevertheless sparked the comeback with two assists within 2 minutes. 

The 3 points would have taken Croatia straight back into major qualification contention, but this rollercoaster had one last turn as a 95th-minute equalizer sent Croatia straight back to the bottom of Group B. There is only a sliver of hope remaining for a 3rd consecutive knockout stage fixture at the European Championship, but it is not completely lost as Croatia faces an Italy side they have historically dominated in the past. Croatia lost just one of their 9 contests against Italy, with that one defeat coming in the very first contest between the two sides in 1942 (0:4). 

Italy are also coming off a dampening defeat against Spain on matchday 2. The 1:0 defeat speaks of a tight fixture, but in reality, Italy were thoroughly dominated from start to finish. It was especially surprising to see how few ideas Italy had on the ball. A team typically so confident in possession appeared frantic and disorganized, recording their lowest possession in a match since a Nations League game against the Netherlands over a year ago.

Prediction: Italy Win

Albania v Spain

Albania continues to wait for their first victory at the 2024 European Championships, but the memories that this side have already made could last a lifetime. Albania scored the fastest goal in European Championship history on matchday 1 (22 seconds), and on matchday 2, they again created euphoria after equalizing with virtually the last kick of the game in the 5th minute of stoppage time. 

The man behind the goal - Klaus Gjasula - is a special case in his own right. Born in Tirana, Albania, but raised in Germany, Gjasula, like so many at this European Championship, is carrying two hearts in his chest. Yet, it was the one for Albania that ultimately won out, with the late-bloomer earning a memorable EURO debut on Wednesday that few players will ever eclipse. Gjasula was subbed onto the pitch in the 72nd minute, tasked to keep the defense tight with the scoreline at 1:0 in Albania’s favor. 

Instead of holding out for a slender 1:0 lead, just about the worst thing that could happen materialized for the 34-year-old midfielder. In the 74th minute, Croatia equalized, and in the 76th minute, a harmless rebound ricocheted off of Gjasula’s leg and into the net for a Croatian lead. By all accounts a nightmarish evening, but one which would ultimately still have a happy end when in the 95th minute Gjasula found himself unmarked in front of the Croatian net to slot home a timely equaliser. For a player who has conceded only one own goal in his entire career and scored just one goal in the past four years, it was truly an unforgettable afternoon for Gjasula!

As for Albania’s upcoming opponents, they provided a more dominant display in their matchday 2 encounter with Italy. The Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen witnessed one of the most one-sided 1:0 victories in international football. A Riccardo Calafiori own goal ultimately made the difference, but Spain only had themselves to blame for not putting away the game sooner. Spain took a staggering 20 shots and showed again the exhilarating football Luis de la Fuente has brought to the side. With Rodri, Pedri, and Fabian Ruiz Spain have a midfield that can pass an opponent dizzy, but in Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, they have extraordinary 1v1 technicians who bring a modern flair to this new-look Spanish outfit. 

Prediction: Spain Win