Italy vs Albania LIVE: Euro 2024 result and final score from Group B fixture tonight
Italy 2-1 Albania: The defending champions conceded the quickest goal in European Champion history but came from behind to claim an opening win in Dortmund
Italy began the defence of their European Championship crown with a narrow 2-1 win against Albania in Dortmund. Albania scored the fastest goal in Euros history after Nedim Bajrami collected Dimarco’s throw-in and rifled past Donnarumma within 23 seconds of kick-off.
But a determined Azzurri side quickly got one back after Alessandro Bastoni rose highest to thump home a header at the far post, and the comeback was completed within 16 minutes when Nicolo Barella sliced a beautiful half-volley past Strakosha from the edge of the box.
Italy named a much-changed side from the one that was victorious at Wembley three years ago, with injuries and retirements meaning that just five players who started in the 2021 final lining up tonight.
But the Azzurri were accomplished in possession after gaining the lead, with Barella, Bastoni, Calafiori and Jorginho guiding them to a win that was a lot more comfortable than the scoreline might suggest.
The holders will face a jubilant Spain side on 20 June in their next game, while Albania will be looking for a crucial three points as they face Croatia.
Relive all the action from Italy vs Albania below, plus more reaction from Spain’s 3-0 win over Croatia
Italy recover from 23 seconds of madness to find themselves again
On a wild night in Dortmund, the Azzuri showed their mettle and refound their class after a chaotic first minute of a famous match at Euro 2024
Albania stunned Italy with the fastest goal in Euros history, coming after just 23 seconds, as Federico Dimarco left his throw-in short and Alessandro Bastoni melted into the ground and then before anyone could understand what was happening Nedim Bajrami had thumped a strike inside Gianluigi Donnarumma’s near post. Bajrami raced away, falling into the embrace of a stadium losing its head.
Italy trudged back to halfway and in that moment it seemed the latest twist in the cycle of turmoil that has followed the Azzurri since they defeated England on penalties to win the Euros. Luciano Spalletti, parachuted into the job less than a year ago after the European champions failed to qualify for the World Cup under Roberto Mancini, may have watched on and wondered what he had got himself into after quitting his sabbatical at his Tuscan farm.
But what followed was a different story, one not of Albania resistance, but of Italy discovering themselves again. Italy have not acted like champions since that night at Wembley but here were the first embers of something familiar. Just as they did in the Euro 2020 final against England after conceding an early goal, Italy assumed control and shut down the narrative. After turning the game around by half-time, the holders ensured the second was a non-event. Until Rey Manaj chested down a long punt forward and forced Donnarumma into a vital touch to send the ball narrowly wide in the 90th minute, Albania had not offered a hint of threat since Bajrami had the holders rocking.
Italy recover from 23 seconds of madness to find themselves again
Italy 2-1 Albania: On a wild night in Dortmund, the Azzuri showed their mettle and refound their class after a chaotic first minute of a famous match at Euro 2024
Tomorrow at Euro 2024
The big news for those in England is that the Three Lions get their campaign started tomorrow, as Gareth Southgate’s side play Serbia in Gelsenkirchen at 8pm BST.
Poland face the Netherlands in the day’s early game at 2pm BST in Hamburg, before Slovenia face Denmark in Stuttgart in the other game from England’s Group C.
We’ll have coverage of all the games on what promises to be an intriguing Sunday. Thanks for following!
Euro 2024 results so far
Ahead of another enthralling day of Euro 2024 action tomorrow, here’s a reminder of the results so far.
Germany 5-1 Scotland
Hungary 1-3 Switzerland
Spain 3-0 Croatia
Italy 2-1 Albania
Euro 2024 fixtures: Full schedule, dates and kick-off times
Every group match to be played in Germany and including planned dates for knockout stages
Recap: Spain put in impressive performance to ease past Croatia
A new Spain, in more ways than one. As Lamine Yamal, who was not even a year old when they won Euro 2008, became first the youngest footballer to play in a European Championships and then, before half-time, the youngest to set up a goal in one, Luis de la Fuente’s side made a break with the past.
With less possession and more potency, Spain looked a team trying to cast off the influence of their champion sides. They had 47 percent of the ball but scored three goals. After going out of successive World Cups in knockout games where they attempted over 1,000 passes each, but seemed to show precious little interest in scoring, this was Spain, but not as we knew them.
Nor, really, was it Croatia as we have come to know them: the great survivors, the tournament team whose powers of endurance have carried them deep into World Cups, were strangely supine. It was the Croatia of old.
Lamine Yamal dazzles as face of new Spain to validate overdue change
Spain 3-0 Croatia: La Roja shone in Berlin behind an unusual mix of players, signalling evolution under Luis de la Fuente
Recap: Switzerland open their campaign with a 3-1 win over Hungary
Kwadwo Duah’s maiden goal for Switzerland helped kick off their Euro 2024 campaign with a 3-1 victory over Hungary at Cologne Stadium.
The 27-year-old had played just 45 minutes for the Swiss senior side, and had to wait for VAR to confirm his milestone moment after he found the back of the net 12 minutes into the Group A contest.
Michel Aebischer, who assisted the opener, made it two on the stroke of half-time with his own first international goal, while Barnabas Varga’s second-half header denied Murat Yakin’s men a clean sheet after the break.
Substitute Breel Embolo sealed victory with a cushioned lob after a poor defensive header in added time.
Kwadwo Duah nets his first goal for Switzerland in win over Hungary at Euro 2024
Substitute Breel Embolo sealed victory on his first international appearance since December 2022
Group B
Here’s how the Group B table looks after the first round of fixtures. Remember that the best third-placed teams will qualify, so goal difference will likely be vital in some cases.
1 - Spain - 3 points, GD +3
2 - Italy - 3 points, GD +1
3 - Albania - 0 points, GD -1
4 - Croatia - 0 points, GD -3
Looking ahead at Euro 2024
For Italy, their defence of the European Championship trophy continues with a match against Spain at 8pm BST on Thursday, 20 June, at Schalke’s Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen.
Albania will face Croatia at 2pm BST on Wednesday, 19 June, as both look for their first points of the tournament so far.
Euro 2024: Italy 2-1 Albania
95 mins
FULL-TIME
Albania have what looks to be one last attack, but Mitaj sweeps a half-cross, half-shot past the post.
And that’s it! Italy begin their defence of the Euros with a win that was more comfortable than the scoreline suggests.
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