Trailing for more than an hour, Luka Modric’s Croatia thought they had done the hard part by scoring two goals in a flash but conceded a draw against Albania at the very end of the match (2-2), Wednesday in Hamburg , during Euro-2024.
In two minutes, a quarter of an hour from the end, Zlatko Dalic’s team had chased away like a bad dream the prospect of being almost eliminated in the event of defeat, which was nevertheless damn concrete for 73 minutes.
But the goal taken in stoppage time nailed it to a small point in two matches in the very tough group B, before facing next Monday (9:00 p.m.) Italy, which plays against Spain on Thursday.
In the first period, the Croats were quickly surprised by a goal from Qazim Laçi with a header cut at the near post (1-0, 11th). Stunned, probably inhibited by the heavy atmosphere which has surrounded the selection since the debacle against Spain last Saturday (3-0), Luka Modric’s teammates took time to appear truly dangerous.
Aging, slow, uninspired, Croatia seemed to be turning the page on a once golden generation, the one which was notably a finalist at the 2018 World Cup and third at the 2022 World Cup.
But upon returning from the locker room, no doubt vocally whipped by Zlatko Dalic, who had already been scathing against his players in recent days, the Croats came back with a knife between their teeth.
Wave after wave, the Croats ended up engulfing the Albanian defense, valiant and disciplined until then, and showed that they had good remains, technically and collectively.
The first goal came after a ball from captain Luka Modric. Yet very slow, at 38 years old, he was able to calmly advance towards the opposing surface, taking advantage of his impeccable ball protection but also of the visibly blunted Albanians.
“Great, amazing”
In a few precise shifts including that of the incoming Ante Budimir, Andrej Kramaric found himself facing Thomas Strakosha and did not tremble to send the ball into the net, with an uncrossed shot (1-1, 74th).
The Volksparkstadion on the Croatian side erupted. And the team had the good idea to dance on the volcano by continuing to push to score, undoubtedly aware that their standing did not admit of a simple draw.
A few seconds later, Mario Stanisic created a huge situation from close range, but the Croats did not have time to regret it as Klaus Gjasula accidentally deflected the ball into his own goal under pressure from Luka Sucic and Mario Pasalic (2- 1, 76e).
This time, the Croats thought they had done the hard part. And the stadium with them. Even the chants of the Albanian supporters, a veritable red and black wall, were less noisy.
Klaus Gjasula (c) congratulated by his teammates after equalizing on the wire for Albania against Croatia during the Euro, June 19, 2024 in Hamburg / JOHN MACDOUGALL / AFP
But by no longer throwing themselves forward, by no longer being as flamboyant as their nickname demands “Fiery”Zlatko Dalic’s men gave some fresh air to Albania, which knew how to take advantage of it.
After several big missed opportunities, the team coached by the Brazilian Sylvinho ended up shaking the nets. Gjasula made up for it by taking a cross that Croatian defender Josip Sutalo, until then very good, could only deflect with his heel (2-2, 90+5).
Appearing tense at a press conference the day before, Dalic had asked ” turn the page “ of “sad spectacle” given by the Croats during the first meeting. He will undoubtedly also ruminate on this draw, against a team well within their reach, and which has their backs against the wall. “We should never have allowed them to come back”commented Zlatko Dalic.
Andrej Kramaric put his disappointment into perspective: “Sometimes football gives you, sometimes it takes you”. Just like his coach: “We always have to complicate things… But we are still alive”.
Sylvinho savored: “It was great, incredible… Albania will remember this match”.
