Croatia 2-2 Albania - Euro 2024: Result and reaction as 95th-minute Albania equaliser levels it up after Luka Modric and Co thought they'd won it with two goals in three minutes

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Foam was sprayed into the fan zone at Skanderbed square in Tirana when they went into half-time at 1-0 up, and fans were ecstatic when Gjasula's equaliser went in.

Zlatko Dalic's message to Croatia's fans before the game came straight out of the Take That songbook: have a little patience.

And for 73 minutes what little patience was left on arrival in Hamburg on Wednesday looked to have evaporated entirely. By minute 95 Dalic's script looked to have rung true, only for Albania to provide a final sting in the tale.

Just as Croatia looked to see out an impressive turnaround, Albania opted for kamikaze football

Click below to read Nathan Salt's report of what was a bonkers match

Lots of players were excellent for both sides today with Bajrami and Aslanni standouts for Albania with Kovacic, Kramaric and Perisic all impressive for Croatia.

But shoutout to Thomas Strakosha who made eight saves and played a huge part in his country getting a well-deserved point this afternoon.

The UEFA Man of the Match meanwhile was Kramaric who so nearly walked away from this game with the winning goal.

Safe to say that former Arsenal star and current Albania manager Sylvinho was delighted with his side's goal - jumping into the arms of one of his coaching staff.

Both sides will next be in action on Monday with Croatia playing Italy and Albania facing Spain. But they will keep an eager eye on how tomorrow's game between Spain and Italy fares.

Spain and Italy could seal their passage into the last-16 with a win, a draw would make it very difficult for Albania or Croatia to qualify via top two finish in the group.

Croatia's 3-0 defeat to Spain means they are well and truly on the backfoot to make it out of this group.

Albanian players celebrated in front of their fans after the final whistle, one of whom got a little bit too excited and ran onto the pitch and had to be stopped by security.

There will be an inquest in the Croatia squad though as to how they gave away that equaliser.

Albanian players and fans were delighted at full-time after taking a hard-fought point against Croatia.

It is a point they will be very happy with after the way they fell behind so rapidly in the second-half.

Croatia fans meanwhile looked distraught at the fan park in Hamburg after a goal which could prove costly to their hopes of qualification.

Only a few minutes ago it looked good for Croatia in Group B but now they face a huge up-hill challenge to even make it out as one of the four best third-placed finishers.

One point in two games and now they realistically need to beat Italy to have any hope of making the last-16.

Two substitutions have made a huge impact on this game, one from each side.

Budimir came on and created two goals for Croatia within the space of six minutes.

And Gjasula scores at his own end before scoring a dramatic equaliser sparking jubilation from the Albanian end.

Gjasula was once a Hamburg player, and he might have scored the biggest goal of his career for his country in the German city.

It is counter-attacking frenzy here as Albania on the counter fail to mwork off a shot.

Atr the other end Kovacic fires a shot which Strakosha spills and the final whistle goes.

I didn't want that one to end going off those last moments! An incredible game but a result that perhaps does neither side any favours.

Though Albania will take it.

Desperate challenge if you have ever seen one from Gjasula who stops a Croatian counter-attack.

He is nowhere near the ball as he lunges in on Luka Modric. An equalising goal and a yellow goal that he will cherish if it stays like this.

INCREDIBLE!

The same player who put the ball in the back of his own net to give Croatia the lead now appears to have salvaged Albania a point.

The cross is put in and a Croatian player misses their clearance and Gjasula in acres of space fires home.

Chances at both ends as Modric drags one wide before Albania have a huge chance for an equaliser only for Livakovic to make a massive save before the offside flag is raised as another Albanian player attempts to fire the rebound in. Livakovic is brave as he dived on the ball and got a kick in the head but he is okay.

Albania trying their best to get a way back into this game with their main outlet being Seferi on the left flank.

He has a cross deflected for a throw-in and not long later times his run slightly off with the assistant raising his flag.

You would think Dalic would be happy but he gets a yellow card for prrotesting a decision.

Off comes Kramaric and Perisic with Sosa and Baturina.

During the celebrations for the second goal, an Albanian defender, Hysaj got a yellow card after his complaints that a team-mate had been fouled in the build-up.

Budimir came on minute 69, grabbed an assist to set up Kramaric, and then it was his cross which pin-balled off Albanian defenders via a deflected effort on goal.

Talk about impact substitutions.

They have turned it around!

That's so unfortunate for Albania as Budimir who only came on five minutes ago and had a part in the first goal, does brilliantly to roll the ball into the box and an effort on goal is deflected off two Albania players before hitting the back of the net.

It has been coming and it's from the birthday boy.

Some lovely play from Croatia and they are back on level terms as Kramaric slows down the defender, moves the ball onto his right foot and sends the goalkeeper the wrong way.

Off comes the goalscorer as Laci is replaced by Gjasula.

What an impact he made, it wasn't the best goalkeeping from Livakovic but he won't care.

Big chance for Croatia!

Perisic is putting in some world class crosses in this second-half and Albania can't do anything to stop him.

But the forwards can't punish Albania with their headers as Kramaric sends his latest effort wide of goal.

Meanwhile Budimir comes on for Petkovic.

Bajrami drives at Gvardiol and waits for the Croatian man to commit but the Man City star doesn't stick out a leg and the Albanian decides to shoot but it is well off target.

Albania are starting to get more of a foothold in this second-half though.

There's a yellow card for Vedran Corluka... no, he hasn't returned to on-field action, but he is a part of Dalic's coaching staff.

And the former Tottenham man is unhappy that play wasn't stopped after Sutalo went down following a collision.

Kovacic has been the star of this second-half and he has some quick feet just outside the box and is unfortunate not to find Petkovic inside the box.

At the other end there's a first effort of the half for Albania as Bajrami bursts into life and finds Asllani who works some space against Modric and powers a shot on goal but it is low and straight into the hands of Livakovic.

Asani comes off for Seferi who started the first game against Italy.

Ramadani goes down winded after a thunderous effort by Modric fires against his stomach.

Modric isn't best pleased as the referee stops the game even though it wasn't a head injury.

When play is resumed Perisic has acres of space outside the box but his effort is deflected into the hands of Strakosha.

Some more dangerous crosses into the Albanian box as Petkovic's header is deflected over for a corner.

Modric then has his head in his hands as his corner is headed over by Sutalo - when the defender was left free in the box.

Kovacic drives forward and finds Kramaric who gives the ball away.

Finally a bit of possession for Albania. Bajrami who caused all sorts of problems in the first-half and has a new threat to contend with in the form of Pasalic who is marking him closely.

Albania's fans in Hamburg are bouncing - they are about 40 minutes away from a famous victory.

Another chance for Croatia as Perisic puts in a cracking ball for Kramaric but the forward can't make good enough contact and it floats behind him rather than on goal.

Pasalic should go for goal!

Croatia are putting many men forward at the start of this half and a cross is put in but Pasalic decides to try and lay it off instead of go for goal himself, but his header down is not good enough and Albania clear.

Not long after Kovacic fires away a wicked shot from the outside of the box which is deflected and into the hands of Strakosha.

Croatia coming closer...

Bright start to the half by Croatia and they force a save out of Strakosha!

It is substitute Sucic who tries to bend it inside the far post but can't get it wide enough and the keeper parries it away.

Moments later Perisic puts in a dangerous looking ball which is headed away.

It will be interesting to see what Pasalic - who was once on Chelsea's books - and Sucic can do to turn this around for Croatia.

Croatia begin the half dominating possession again as they pass the ball around Albania's box but can't find a way to break through the defence.

Luka Modric gets us back underway for the second-half.

No change for Albania, understandably, after their excellent first 45.

Sucic and Mario Pasalic have come on for Majer and Brozovic.

Just a reminder that Albania would pull off the biggest shock victory, in terms of the FIFA world rankings, in Euros history if it stays like this.

Could this be the end of Croatia's 'Golden Generation' or can they turn things around?

We are about to get back underway

Albania have a deserved lead thanks to the goals from Qazim Laci.

They are constantly posing problems on the counter-attack with Nedim Bajrami - who scored against Italy - causing all sorts of issues down Croatia's right-hand side.

Rey Manaj is getting closer to scoring a goal as well, and Croatia will have to change something up tactically to deal with this in the second 45.

Not the half that Croatia would have wanted.

Four goals conceded in two games so far and they are looking particularly vulnerable at the back.

One stat which won't ease minds of Croatia fans is that they have won just one out of their last 10 games at the Euros when conceding the first goal.

It is half-time but not before there is huge chances at both ends!

Again Albania hit Croatia on the counter attack and a cross is headed by Manaj but saved by Livakovic.

At the other end Croatia have their best move of the match after some nice intricate play but the offside flag goes up as a header is saved by Strakosha.

Albania lead at the break, but can they hang on?

Chance for Croatia as Juranovic who has been one of their more dangerous players whips in a cross for Majer, but the latter's effort is headed wide.

Not much complaint from Majer but replays show that he should have got a corner as the ball deflected wide.

No foul awarded to the dismay of Manaj who is taken down in the Croatia half.

At the other end Kramaric tries to work his way into the Albania box only to lose the box and Manaj gets a foul this time as he is clipped at the heels.

This time the Albanian forward is not happy to get a foul as he felt they could have broken away.

Tough to please some people!

Dangerous ball over the top into the Croatian box but Manaj can't quite get control as he stretches out a leg in his attempts to reach it.

At the other end of the pitch Brozovic takes a shot from long-range but it's a rather weak one and it bobbles into the hands of Strakosha.

A sign that Croatia are struggling for ideas in this first half.

Modric is the one tasked with whipping the ball in but Strakosha is a commanding figure in the box and he punches the ball away from danger.

Asani looks stunned as he gives away a free-kick in a dangerous position for clipping the ankles of Kramaric.

Correct decision by the referee and this is a huge chance for Croatia.

For all of Croatia's possession - 66 per cent to date - it is Albania who look the more dangerous team anytime they look to break on their opponents.

Lot of side-to-side passing in midfield but it appears their best chance will be to play the ball out wide and put in a cross for Petkovic.

Albania's threat on the counter-attack will have Dalic thinking about how he can cope with that in the second-half.

Huge chance for Albania!

It should be 2-0 as Luka Modric gives the ball away in midfield and they are away 2 v 2.

A beautifully threaded ball finds Asllani who tries to trick the goalkeeper with his eyes but Livakovic dives low and tips the ball away.

This was the goal that rocked the Croatians, with Albania 1-0 up after 27 minutes.

What a chance for Croatia!

Petkovic slumps down to the ground as Majer puts in an excellent whipped cross through to the striker who can't get the contact he wants and heads well over the bar.

He looks over to the linesman but the flag didn't go up.

Majer and Petkovic link up but there is no way through for the latter who tries to burst through into the box.

Kovacic and Kramaric then play a one-two but the Man City star is then blocked off.

Albania have dropped deep and Croatia will need to make the most out of their midfield creativity if they are to break down their opponents.

Modric tries to play Juranovic down the line on the right flank but Albania stop a route through.

Not long after Kovacic gives the ball away. Croatia bit sloppy with their possesion despite all of their quality in midfield.

Perisic puts in a cross which is deflected into the path of Petkovic but Albania defender Ajeti is able to beat him to the ball.

Bajrami again attempts to break but he is blocked.

Kovacic has a shot blocked at the other end, before Brozovic has an effort of his own roll wide of the far post.

Frenetic end-to-end action!

Croatia look vulnerable now and Albania come close again as Bajrami forces a corner with a shot which is tipped wide.

What a ball this is from Asani!

The ball is worked out to the right and Perisic can't get close to the Albanian wide player and it is Qazim Laci - the man who came into the team today - who is able to head home.

Another early goal for Albania, can they hold on this time?

Modric's free-kick is headed away and Bajrami is definitely an outlet on the left flank for Albania as he bursts forward, but Croatia defend well.

Not long later Modric attempts to put another ball into the box with the outside of his foot but Albania have a body that gets in the way.

Juranovic is causing problems down the right flank and he puts in a cross which is cleared by Ajeti.

An opportunity springs up for Majer but he can't quite find his feet after Kovacic won the ball and found him inside the box.

Free-kick for Croatia as Ajeti fouls Petkovic.

Juranovic wins the corner after he is found by Modric.

The corner is played short though and they are unable to do anything with the opportunity.

Croatia dominating possession already though.

Croatia get hold of the ball and are already starting to get into a passing rhythm - something you would expect given the level of quality they have in midfield.

Mateo Kovacic will have to improve his long-range passes though as he blasts one forward with no Croatian team-mate in sight.

Albania, dressed in black, get us underway against Croatia - the first time these nations have met in their history.

23 seconds in and Albania have not scored like they did against Italy.

Though it is a fast start as Bajrami attempts to put in a cross which is cleared.

Croatia XI: Livakovic; Juranovic, Sutalo, Gvardiol, Perisic; Brozovic, Modric, Kovacic; Majer, Kramaric, Petkovic

Albania XI: Strakosha; Hysaj, Ajeti, Djimsiti, Mitaj; Ramadani, Asllani; Asani, Bajrami, Laci; Manaj

Just five minutes to go until kick-off and here come the two teams.

Luka Modric leads out the Croatian side, while Berat Djimsiti leads out their opponents.

And it is time for the national anthems.

Croatia and Albania both seem to be very up for today's game going off the competitiveness of their pre-match warm-ups.

Luka Modric and Marcelo Brozovic both lunging in on a 50/50 attempt to get the ball might have had the Croatia manager wincing.

Less than 15 minutes to go!

Sylvinho has gone from the first Brazilian player to sign for Arsenal in 1999, to manager of Albania a quarter of a century later.

He was the left-back of Arsene Wenger's Arsenal before an injury led to him being displaced by Ashley Cole - only one of the greatest players of that position.

There was plenty of positives for Sylvinho in their opening game, something which he is eager to take into this match.

In his pre-match press conference, he said;

Except for the first 15 minutes against Italy, we did really well. We are talking about Italy, one of the best teams in the competition.

Croatia gave a good performance (against Spain), even in losing 3-0. If you see the stats from this match without seeing the result, you wouldn’t believe Croatia lost. But at this level of football, anything can happen.'

Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic has urged his side to 'be even better' against Albania - after losing 3-0 in their opening game.

In his pre-match press conference, he said;

Albania may not be of the same quality as Spain but they deserve a lot of respect.

They are motivated and organised, so we need to be patient and cautious. We know our goal is to win and we will be more offensive. We want to improve. Even against Spain, we had possession and created more chances, but now we need to be even better.'

If Albania beat Croatia today it would be the biggest shock in Euros history - going off their respective FIFA world rankings.

Albania are only ranked 66th in the world, while Croatia are in a lofty 10th.

The current record was only set on Monday, when Slovakia (48th) beat Belgium (3rd).

For those interested in the head-to-head record... well there is no previous meeting!

It is the first time that these two nations are facing in any competition.

Albania have won just one of their last 10 matches when facing a nation for the very first time - beating Faroe Islands in June 2023.

However, more positive stats for Albania is that they have not lost back-to-back games since September 2022, while Croatia have lost their last three.

The final preparations are well underway with kick-off in around 45 minutes.

Here is a peek inside the dressing rooms with the match shirts lined up for the players.

Which of these names will be the key man this afternoon?

Players from both nations have been arriving at the Volskparkstadion.

Croatia's major stars including Mateo Kovacic and Luka Modric had stern looks on their faces - they know the importance of today's game.

Armando Broja meanwhile looked far from pleased, perhaps already knowing his place on the bench. Just one international goal since 2022 might just play a huge part in his manager Sylvinho's thinking.

Armando Broja is on the bench for Albania - a very interesting decision by their manager.

Rey Manaj and Qazim Laci step in for Broja and Taulant Seferi.

Croatia have made three changes to the side that lost to Spain with Ivan Perisic, Bruno Petkovic and Josip Juranovic coming in for Marin Pongracic, Josip Stanisic and Ante Budimir.

Ahead of their must-win game against Albania you would have thought Croatian manager Zlatko Dalic would be fully concentrating on his opponents.

However, he aimed a dig at England during his pre-match press conference - as part of his defence of his own side after their heavy 3-0 loss to Spain.

He pointed out England's lack of medals and insisted that Croatia deserve 'greater respect' for what they have achieved.

Click below to read more...

Looks like a glorious day in Hamburg with fans making their way to the Volksparkstadion in the sunshine.

Fans have been enjoying some pre-match drinks, getting their faces and bodies painted in their country's national flag while one Albanian got himself a picture with Ivana Knoll - the Croatian model who became a sensation during the 2022 World Cup.

Croatia got all the way to the semi-finals in Qatar but could be in serious danger of getting eliminated at the group stage if the result doesn't go their way today.

Albania showed against Italy they can cause some problems and their fans will be confident of pulling an upset this afternoon.

Spain top the group after their brilliant 3-0 victory over a difficult Croatian side on Saturday.

They are ahead of Italy on goal difference, after the reigning holders came from behind to beat Albania.

Remember though, the top two teams in each group and the best four third-placed teams advance to the round of 16.

Victory today for Croatia and Albania could leave them in a good place to make it to the next round, but a draw or defeat won't do any favours going into their final group games on Monday.

Group B standings

1. Spain - 3 points (+3 GD)
2. Italy - 3 points (+1 GD)
3. Albania - 0 points (-1 GD)
4. Croatia - 0 points (-3 GD)

And welcome as Mail Sport brings you live updates from Croatia's Euro 2024 clash against Albania.

All 24 teams have now played and this marks the start of the second round of group stage games.

Croatia and Albania both suffered defeat in their opening matches to Spain and Italy respectively, and in the tournament's 'Group of Death' - both sides are in desperate need of a victory if they are to have any chance of reaching the knockout phase.

Stay with us for all the team news and updates from the 2pm kick off - the first of three games today.