Albania precipitated a shock in opposition to the World Cup third-place crew in Hamburg on Wednesday, scoring a 2-2 (0-1) draw because of a objective in damage time and thus additionally securing their first level in Group B.
The underdog took the lead via Qazim Laci (eleventh) in opposition to a Croatian crew that had been very disappointing within the first half. Andrej Kramaric (74th) and an personal objective by Klaus Gjasula (76th) precipitated what appeared like a turnaround earlier than Gjasula introduced Albania a not undeserved level within the ninety fifth minute. Croatia now wants a win within the last match on Monday in opposition to defending champions Italy to nonetheless make it to the spherical of 16. Albania wants a sensation in opposition to Spain within the parallel match to probably attain the spherical of 16.
Croatia’s crew supervisor Zlatko Dalic made three modifications to his crew in comparison with the 3-0 defeat within the opening match in opposition to Spain, bringing in full-backs Ivan Perisic and Josip Juranovic in addition to striker Bruno Petkovic. However even within the new formation, Luka Modric and Co. have been initially unable to persuade.
Livakovic unfortunate with Laci objective
Outsider Albania closed the defence, repeatedly posed a risk with fast assaults and took the lead early on. Laci headed in a cross from Jasir Asani, however goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic didn’t look good. Kristjan Asllani with a shot (31′) and Rey Manaj with a header (45’+1) additionally had two nice probabilities to make it 2-0, however Livakovic was on the spot.
Croatia, alternatively, left the whole lot to be desired offensively within the first half, and the sluggish and unimaginative build-up of play didn’t embarrass the underdog. The one half-dangerous moments got here with a Brozovic shot (twentieth minute) and a Petkovic header (twenty sixth minute).
Linzer Sucic introduced a breath of contemporary air
Dalic reacted throughout the break, bringing on Salzburg striker Luka Sucic and a breath of contemporary air. The 21-year-old instantly made his presence felt with the Croatians’ greatest likelihood as much as that time, however his shot was saved by goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha (50′).
The “Fiery Ones” (Vatreni) now utilized a variety of strain. Headers from Josip Sutalo (58th) and Mario Pasalic (69th) additionally posed a risk, and within the 74th minute the now deserved equaliser got here from Hoffenheim legionnaire Kramaric. Simply two minutes later, the ball rolled into the objective once more from the shot-hit Gjasula. However the Albanians didn’t surrender and rewarded themselves in a turbulent last section with probabilities on either side, when Gjasula put the ball within the objective in damage time.
