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
DISALLOWED GOAL! Spain 3-0 Croatia
81mins
NO GOAL!
Petkovic steps up and fires it low, but Simon saves! Nevertheless, his rebound bounces out to Perisic, who squares it back to Petkovic for the tap-in.
There’s a brief VAR check for encroachment before the penalty was taken, and the goal decision is reversed! No goal.
PENALTY! Spain 3-0 Croatia
78 mins
PENALTY TO CROATIA!
Out of nowhere really, and it’s Simon’s fault. He dawdles on the ball and the deflection off his clearance makes it fall to the feet of Petkovic. He dummies it to send Simon the wrong way, but is brought down by Rodri!
HALF-TIME: Spain 2-0 Croatia
Half-time came shortly after the goal, and what a half for Spain.
That should be three points in the bag for Luis de la Fuente’s side.
GOAL! Spain 2-0 Croatia
32 mins
GOAL!
And another great goal!
Yamal collects on the right and surges into the box. He squares it off to Fabian Ruiz, and the PSG man dances past two defenders before firing a low left-footed shot past Livakovic. There was a small deflection on the way through, but that won’t bother him.
GOAL!: Spain 1-0 Croatia
29 mins
GOAL! Something out of nothing on the counter for Spain.
Cucurella wins the ball and cushions it to Rodri. He lays it off to Ruiz, who has acres to play a through ball straight into the path of Morata. He’s clean through and he slots it easily low and past Livakovic.
FULL-TIME: Hungary 1-3 Switzerland
97 mins
FULL-TIME
Hungary are still trying to force a goal here, but this game is over.
The referee blows for full-time on 97 minutes, and it’s a brilliant start for the Swiss with a well-earned three points.
Spain v Croatia: Official line-ups
Spain XI: Unai Simón; Carvajal, Le Normand, Nacho, Cucurella; Fabián Ruiz, Rodri, Pedri; Lamine Yamal, Morata, Nico Williams
Croatia XI: Livakovic; Stanisic, Sutalo, Pongracic, Gvardiol; Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic; Majer, Kramaric; Budimir
GOAL! Hungary 1-3 Switzerland
93 mins
GOAL!! And Embolo has made sure of the win!
Sommer goes long and Bolla heads it into no man’s land. It runs straight into the path of Embolo, who brings it down brilliantly with his chest and calmly lifts it over the onrushing Gulacsi and into the net.
GOAL: Hungary 1-2 Switzerland
66 mins
GOAL!
So much better from Hungary. Sallai picks it up again on the left and slides it across to Szoboszlai. He clips in a lovely ball to the far post and Varga manages to escape his marker and head it past Sommer! Game on.
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