Italy began their title defense successfully by beating Albania 2-1 in a Group B match at Euro 2024. Nedim Bajrami opened the scoring with the fastest goal in European Championship history, after finding the back of the net in the 23rd second.
The Old Continent champions, however, managed to recover and turn things around in their favor with goals from Alessandro Bastoni and Nicolo Barella within 15 minutes.
Thus, the “Squadra Azzurra” drew level on 3 points with the group leader – the team of Spain, which however has a better goal difference, after smashing Croatia 3-0 in their game.
Bajrami shocked Italy with a goal in the 23rd second of the match. Albania took a throw-in from the side. Bajrami was left unmarked in the penalty area and with a shot into the near corner left Donnarumma with no chance, scoring the fastest goal in European Championship history.
Immediately afterwards, Lorenzo Pellegrini got into a good position, but shot wide of the goal. In the 11th minute, Italy equalized. Pellegrini crossed from the left. Alessandro Bastoni was left unmarked at the far post and with a close-range header equalized.
Just 5 minutes later, the “Squadra” was already leading. Mytaj failed to clear an attack from the opponent and the ball fell to Nicolo Barella, who with a shot from the arc of the penalty area found the net behind Strakosha.
In the 33rd minute, Gianluca Scamacca set up Davide Frattesi on the right, the midfielder tried to chip over the goalkeeper, but Strakosha intervened anyway, after which the ball hit the side post. Then Scamacca was found in an excellent position and shot, but the goalkeeper saved.
In added time in the first half, Frattesi crossed excellently into the penalty area, where Pellegrini tried to head the ball, but did not find the ball well, which hit his shoulder and went out for an out.
After the break, the pace dropped and Luciano Spalletti’s team controlled the game. In the 67th minute, Federico Dimarco crossed to the far post, where Di Lorenzo tried a header, but was blocked by Hisaj. In the 80th minute, Dimarco made an individual raid down the left flank and tried a powerful shot that did not trouble Strakosha.
Albania had a great chance in the last minute of regular time. Substitute Rey Manaj was set up in the Italian penalty area and shot from a tight angle, but Donnarumma did not allow himself to be surprised.
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