It was time for the reigning European Champions to open their 2024 Euros tournament campaign, as Italy faced the second lowest-ranked side in the competition, Albania, at the BVB Stadion Dortmund.
Whilst most will have expected Italy to dominate from the very beginning, it was a dream start for Albania who made history, scoring the quickest goal in Euros history, just 23 seconds into the game.
However, Italy recovered with goals from Alessandro Bastoni and Nicolò Barella and started their campaign with a win after a vital save from Gianluigi Donnarumma in the 89th minute ensured the result.
As it happened
It was an unexpected start for the reigning European Champions with Albania grabbing the lead in the first 23 seconds – a new record for the quickest goal in the history of the European Championships.
Embed from Getty ImagesFollowing a misplaced throw-in by Italy’s Federico Dimarco, Nedim Bajrami picked up the ball on the corner of the six-yard box and fired it past the stranded Gianluigi Donnarumma. He immediately ran and celebrated with a section of Albanian fans, with the sea of black and red across the stadium erupting with cheers and elation.
However, Italy did not allow the dramatic opening to phase them and responded like champions, equalising in the 10th minute from a good short corner routine. Dimarco passed to Lorenzo Pellegrini, crossing the ball to Alessandro Bastoni at the far post, whose header flashed back across goal.
Just six minutes later, Luciano Spalletti’s men deservedly took the lead with an excellent half-volley by Nicolò Barella striking the ball from the edge of the box to punish an unconvincing clearance.
Relentless attacking by the Azzuri nearly saw them double their lead as Davide Fratessi looked to chip the goalkeeper, Thomas Strakosha, who made an instinctive save, tipping it onto the post.
The Brentford shot-stopper continued to impress for Albania, denying Gianluca Scamacca at his near post, whilst Pellegrini also wasted a good headed opportunity late in the half.
Embed from Getty ImagesDespite Italy dominating the first 45 minutes, only one goal separated the two sides at the break making it all to play for in the second half.
In the 60th minute, having shown his class throughout the game down the right-hand side, Federico Chiesa went for goal from the edge of the box but his shot went just wide at the far post.
Whilst Italy continued to dominate for the most part, Albania were not to be counted out and with the Azzuri unable to extend their lead with just 20 minutes remaining, unrest was beginning to grow. Dimarco came close to extending the lead, running beyond the defence and drove straight at the goalkeeper.
The biggest chance of the second half came in the 89th minute for Albania, as substitute Rey Manaj looked to lift the ball over Donnarumma who produced a vital save to deny them the equaliser.
It proved to be a game-defining moment, as Italy opened their Euros 2024 campaign with a win.
The lineups
ITA: Donnarumma, Di Lorenzo, Calafiori, Dimarco, Frattesi, Jorginho, Barella, Chiesa, Scamacca, Pellegrini
ALB: Strakosha, Hysaj, Ajeti, Djmsiti, Mitaj, Ramadani, Asllani, Asani, Bajrami, Seferi, Broja