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

Euro 2024: Who are the favourites?

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 vs Albania - Euro 2024 LIVE

• Italy complete a quick turnaround to earn a 2-1 victory as they begin their defence of the European Championship
• Albania had gone ahead within 23 seconds after Bajrami rifled it past Donnarumma
• But Bastoni and Barella combined with a header and a lovely half-volley to give Italy a well-earned win in the first game of their campaign
• 16 mins - GOAL! Barella guides in a perfect half-volley from the edge of the box, 2-1
• 11 mins - GOAL! Bastoni rises high to guide a header past Strakosha at the back post, 1-1
• 1 min - GOAL! Bajrami rifles it past Donnarumma after a loose throw-in, 0-1

[15 June 2024 20:58 · Chris Wilson]

(Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

[15 June 2024 20:52 · Chris Wilson]

Albania’s Nedim Bajrami scores fastest European Championship goal ever to stun Italy

Nedim Bajrami scored for Albania against Italy after just 23 seconds in the fastest goal in European Championship history.

The Azzurri were shocked in the first minute of their title defence at Euro 2024 in Dortmund.

Federico Dimarco took a throw-in back towards Gigi Donnarumma’s goal. But it lacked enough power to reach a teammate, with Bajrami quick to pounce.

The finish was too powerful, despite hitting the inside of the near post, with the Albania fans celebrating wildly at the Westfalenstadion.

[15 June 2024 20:50 · Chris Wilson]

HALF-TIME: Italy 2-1 Albania

48 mins

HALF-TIME! The referee brings the first half to an end.

It started brightly after the quickest goal in the history of the competition, but Italy’s quality has shone through and the holders go into the break 2-1 up.

[15 June 2024 20:49 · Chris Wilson]

Euro 2024: Italy 2-1 Albania

46 mins

There’ll be three minutes of added time in the first half.

Italy are ending the half in the same way that they’ve spent most of it – in fairly relaxed possession.

And it almost ends in a lovely goal, with Frattesi carrying towards the box and laying it off to Chiesa. He hits a lovely first-time cross, and Pellegrini is racing into the box – he gets contact with a diving effort but he can only direct it wide.

[15 June 2024 20:44 · Chris Wilson]

Euro 2024: Italy 2-1 Albania

42 mins

Albania are enjoying some possession as the half draws to a close, but they’re struggling to create any chances. They kick it long to try and get the knock down, but Calafiori deals with it well.

[15 June 2024 20:43 · Jack Rathborn]

Euro 2024: Italy 2-1 Albania

(AFP via Getty Images)

(AFP via Getty Images)

(AFP via Getty Images)

[15 June 2024 20:42 · Chris Wilson]

Euro 2024: Italy 2-1 Albania

40 mins

CLOSE!

Pellegrini wins a header on the edge of the box which ends up at the feet of Scamacca. He’s one-v-one, but Strakosha makes another good save.

[15 June 2024 20:27 · Chris Wilson]

Euro 2024: Italy 2-1 Albania

25 mins

Albania go long once more and it looks problematic for Bastoni, but he cushions a header back to Donnarumma.

Italy go on the attack, but Di Lorenzo gives it away.

[15 June 2024 20:22 · Chris Wilson]

Euro 2024: Italy 2-1 Albania

20 mins

A brilliant recovery from Italy now, and what a goal that was.

Barella was a doubt for this game after a muscle injury, but that has really shown his importance to this Italy side.

The Azzurri attack again and win a corner, which Dimarco swings in, but Strakosha punches it away.

[15 June 2024 20:20 · Chris Wilson]

GOAL! Italy 2-1 Albania

16 mins

GOAL! What a hit, and Italy are ahead!

There’s some pinball in the Albania box and it’s cleared poorly.

It runs straight to Barella on the edge of the box, and he cuts across it on the half-volley and smashes it into the left-hand corner! Lovely technique.