Italy Overcomes Early Shock to Beat Albania 2-1 in Euro 2024 Opener
Image: Hespress
Italy Overcomes Early Shock to Beat Albania 2-1 in Euro 2024 Opener
Image: Hespress

Italy began their defense of the European Championship title with a stunning comeback victory over Albania, prevailing 2-1 in front of a boisterous crowd. The match, contested in Dortmund, saw Italy come back from conceding the fastest goal in competition history to win.

Record-breaking start.
Nedim Bajrami stunned the Italian team and pleased the Albanian fans by scoring only 23 seconds into the match. This goal broke the previous Euros record of 67 seconds set by Russia’s Dmitri Kirichenko in 2004.

Italy’s Swift Response
Despite an early setback, Italy responded fast. At the 11-minute mark, Alessandro Bastoni scored the equalizer, restoring the Italians’ confidence. Within five minutes, Nicolo Barella’s spectacular goal from the edge of the area put Italy ahead, demonstrating their resilience and skill.

Dominance and Missed Opportunities
After taking the lead, Italy dominated the game but squandered several chances to expand their lead. Davide Frattesi struck the post, Gianluca Scamacca was stopped by Albanian goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha, and Federico Chiesa nearly missed with a curling attempt.

Late Pressure from Albania.
Although Italy grew more confident as the game went, they faced a tight finish as Albania sought for an equaliser. The finest opportunity for Albania came in the 90th minute, when substitute Rey Manaj raced through the Italian defense but was unable to past Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Looking ahead, Italy’s performance, except from the first 23 seconds, was otherwise positive. They are now preparing for a highly anticipated showdown against Spain in Gelsenkirchen next Thursday. With Spain defeating Croatia 3-0 earlier in the day, the match promises to be a deciding factor for both Group B sides.

Background and Significance
Italy’s triumph is a great start for a team that has faced uncertainty after missing the previous two World Cups and struggling in the qualifying stages. Despite the loss, Albania’s participation in its second major event demonstrates the country’s growing influence in international football.

Historical Context.
The contest resembled Italy’s most recent European Championship encounter, in when they recovered from behind to defeat England in the 2021 final at Wembley Stadium. This ability to overcome early defeats exemplifies Italy’s dedication and strategic prowess under Luciano Spalletti.

Conclusion
Italy’s comeback victory over Albania not only signals a great start to their Euro 2024 campaign, but also demonstrates their ability to overcome adversities. As they prepare for their next encounter against Spain, the reigning champions are well positioned to advance to the knockout stages and defend their European championship.

 

Source: Italy recover from disastrous start to win Euro 2024 opener (msn.com)

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