• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Croatia vs Albania thriller helped create unique piece of Euros AND World Cup history that may never be matched

Home> Football> Football News

Published 17:37 19 Jun 2024 GMT+1

Croatia vs Albania thriller helped create unique piece of Euros AND World Cup history that may never be matched

Croatia and Albania played out a 2-2 thriller on Wednesday afternoon.

Ryan Smart

Ryan Smart

The 2-2 thriller between Croatia and Albania helped to create a unique piece of football history that has never been achieved at a European Championship or World Cup.

Albania, who had won one Euros game in their history before the fixture, went 1-0 up in the first half through Sparta Prague midfielder Qazim Laci.

Croatia equalised on 66 minutes through Andrej Kramaric, before an own goal from Albania substitute Klaus Gjasula two minutes later made it 2-1.

Advert

That, it turned out, was to be far from Gjasula's last contribution in the fixture.

The 34-year-old, who plays his club football in Germany for Darmstadt, equalised with a picture-perfect left-footed finish into the bottom left corner on 92 minutes.

There was still time for the midfielder to do his bit defensively, as he hauled down a Croatia attacker in a desperate attempt to stop them from creating one final chance. Gjasula was subsequently booked.

Advert

And as per OptaJoe, Gjasula's trio of contributions means he has set a European Championship and World Cup record that may never be matched.

He is the first substitute in the history of both competitions to come off the bench and score a goal and an own goal in the same match. By default, therefore, he is also the first player to record both of those feats and collect a yellow card.

Twitter

The 2-2 draw means both sides have one point to their name in Group B, with Albania losing 2-1 to Italy and Croatia falling 3-0 to Spain on matchday one.

Advert

Albania are currently third on goal difference, and face Spain in their final group game as they attempt to qualify for the knockout stages for the first time in their history.

Croatia, meanwhile, will hope to avoid the ignominy of being knocked out in the group stage after finishing as runners-up at the 2018 World Cup, in third place in 2022, and as runners-up in the 2023 Nations League.

SPORTbible are on WhatsApp! We've launched a dedicated transfer news channel to send you the latest deals, rumours and more directly on WhatsApp and all you need to do to sign up is click through to our one-way broadcast channel here for 'SPORTbible News' to appear in the 'Updates' tab on your WhatsApp.

Featured Image Credit: Getty

Topics: Croatia, Euro 2024, Football, Football World Cup

Ryan Smart
Ryan Smart

Live in constant hope of the top flight as a Preston North End fan. Written in the past for SPORF, GiveMeSport and more.

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • One Euro 2024 group has already helped make unique piece of history that may never be matched
  • Albania player banned for two matches after what he did following Euro 2024 clash against Croatia
  • Fans are calling Andros Townsend the 'best commentator at Euro 2024' after Croatia vs Albania
  • UEFA issue official response to Serbia's threat to quit Euro 2024 as investigation launched into Croatia and Albania fan chants

Choose your content:

24 mins ago
an hour ago
2 hours ago
4 hours ago
  • 24 mins ago

    ITV forced to apologise TWICE on behalf of Tyson Fury after what he said live-on-air during Soccer Aid

    Fury was interviewed on-air at Old Trafford - with perhaps an expected result...

    Football
  • an hour ago

    Thomas Tuchel told to call up player to his next England squad as fans say already he's outgrown U21 side

    The England boss has been told to promote a talented U21 after his recent performances.

    Football
  • 2 hours ago

    Jack Grealish ‘pranked’ into paying fan’s bill on holiday as TikTok goes viral

    The Man City star has been brutally pranked as his teammates prepare for the Club World Cup

    Football
  • 4 hours ago

    Trent Alexander-Arnold received two gifts from Real Madrid after signing contract with the club

    Trent Alexander-Arnold received two gifts following his transfer to Real Madrid.

    Football