Nicolo Barella ensured defending champions Italy launched their Euro 2024 campaign with victory over Albania despite conceding the fastest goal in European Championship history.
Nedim Bajrami fired the Albanians ahead after just 23 seconds at the BVB Stadion in Dortmund, in the process eclipsing Dmitri Kirichenko’s strike 67 seconds into Russia’s 2-1 win over Greece in 2004.
However, the Italians quickly levelled through defender Alessandro Bastoni before Barella secured a 2-1 Group B win which was more comfortable than the scoreline suggests, with most of the drama coming inside the opening 16 minutes.
🇦🇱 With less than a minute on the clock ⏰#EURO2024 | #ITAALB pic.twitter.com/B5G6rCKNAA
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) June 15, 2024
Indeed, had it not been for the heroics of Brentford goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha, who produced a string of fine saves, Italy might have prevailed significantly more comfortably.
Albania, ranked 66th in the world, could hardly have got off to a better start as Bajrami intercepted Federico Dimarco’s ill-judged throw-in back towards Bastoni before taking a controlling touch and smashing a right-foot shot into the roof of the net.
Italy’s response was immediate and concerted with Lorenzo Pellegrini firing just wide from Gianluca Scamacca’s clever flick-on, and they were back on terms with 11 minutes gone when Pellegrini and Dimarco worked a short corner and Bastoni powered home a far-post header from the former’s cross.
The game was turned on its head five minutes later when the Albanians succumbed once again to the incessant pressure when Inter Milan midfielder Barella, who had been an injury doubt ahead of kick-off, thumped a snapshot past helpless Strakosha after his defenders had been unable to clear their lines.
![Albania’s Rey Manaj fails to score during a Group B match between Italy and Albania at the Euro 2024](http://content.assets.pressassociation.io/AP/2024/06/15/24d2fb3688a545d2b589e3817fd7416b.jpg?w=640)
With Barella, Pellegrini and Jorginho dominating the midfield battle, Sylvinho’s men were starved of possession and Strakosha had to come to their rescue twice as the half-time whistle approached.
First, he tipped Davide Frattesi’s chipped effort on to the upright after he had been played in by Scamacca, and then got his angles right to deny the former West Ham striker at his near post.
Albania emerged after half-time determined to drag themselves back into the game, but met stern resistance from the Italian defence before the Azzurri gradually eased back on to the front foot with Federico Chiesa curling a left-foot attempt just wide on the hour.
However, despite the control they exerted, Luciano Spalletti’s side could not extend their lead to give Albania hope, and they were almost made to pay at the death when Gianluigi Donnarumma did just enough to keep out substitute Rey Manaj’s attempt.
Let's start our 7M Daily Laugh today. Croatia 1-1 Italy Croatia is very close to being eliminated Auf Wiedersehen emmm... This photo always makes me smile BREAKING : SUPER SUB - JOSELU HAS LEFT REAL MADRID. BREAKING : LIONEL MESSI TURNS 37 YEARS OLD TODAY emmm... Please stay tuned on 7M Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, originaltrollfootball, AZRorganizatio...
![](https://static-assets.7msport.com/7msport/2406/1162/228274/16b7c93a27f086e6f1706ed5337d6ba6.jpg)
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. England 1-1 Denmark What are we doing here? Euro Own Goals Half of Italy's strength goes into the anthem. Kylian Mbappe's New MASK is REVEALED. We might never see a trio like them ever again.. Total dominance. Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Just toon it, trollfootball, The Football Arena, AZR Organization)...
![](https://static-assets.7msport.com/7msport/2406/7900/228232/baf46832dbadcdf7f5d16227ebcc20ca.jpg)
Klaus Gjasula struck five minutes into stoppage time to rescue a 2-2 draw for Albania against Croatia in Hamburg and keep alive their hopes of reaching the Euro 2024 knockout stages.The 2022 World Cup semi-finalists looked to have secured a fine comeback win after Andrej Kramaric scored in the 74th minute to cancel out Qazim Laci’s early goal for Albania, then midfielder Gjasula inadvertentl...
![](https://static-assets.7msport.com/7msport/2406/2054/228208/5e6b43603c359912dc867f1d2aee53e6.jpg)
Ferran Torres' 20th international goal led Spain to a 100% group record at a major tournament for the first time in 16 years as they beat Albania 1-0 in Dusseldorf, with the Red and Blacks exiting UEFA Euro 2024 in the process.Spain manager Luis de la Fuente rang the changes for this match as his side had already progressed to the knockout phase as Group B winners, with only Aymeric Laporte remain...
![](https://static-assets.7msport.com/7msport/2406/1339/228272/8a805c8acde7769b3b2446864b232983.jpg)
England qualified for the last 16 of Euro 2024 on Monday evening without even kicking a ball. Gareth Southgate's side are currently undergoing final preparations for their third and final Group C game against Slovenia on Tuesday, but the pressure has somewhat been relieved.The Three Lions claimed an opening win over Slovakia to kick off their campaign, but that was followed up a lacklustre draw ag...
![](https://static-assets.7msport.com/7msport/2406/6894/228270/a525edc27be36a97624cf0de85cfc0eb.jpg)
Manchester United are working overtime in a bid to sign Netherlands star Joshua Zirkzee ahead of top flight rivals Arsenal and Italian giants AC Milan.United bosses have made it clear to Bologna they are prepared to meet the attacking midfielder turned forward's £34m release clause. But with a host of clubs chasing his signature, Zirkzee is keeping his options open before deciding his next mo...
![](https://static-assets.7msport.com/7msport/2406/6916/228269/d15ab10e3090adcb6d90cbcb4b810664.jpg)
Nico Williams to Chelsea? Plus Estevao details, Broja future, and moreEverything is signed between Chelsea, Palmeiras and the agents of Estevao Willian – the deal is done for the Brazilian winger born in 2007. We can consider Estevao a new Chelsea player, and it's a generational talent joining the Blues – I can reveal that he was also wanted by others, with one club trying to hijack th...
![](https://static-assets.7msport.com/7msport/2406/2429/228267/0c9ce6096897bb72aa1f09166595af5e.jpg)
Mattia Zaccagni came off the bench to fire a superb equaliser in the last minute of added-time and snatch Italy a 1-1 draw with Croatia to send the holders through to the knockout stage of Euro 2024.Just moments after seeing his second-half penalty saved, Luka Modric fired Croatia ahead from close range in the 55th minute.Italy looked to be left to rely on other results to progress as one of the b...
![](https://static-assets.7msport.com/7msport/2406/7392/228266/726abfcfb22088e885ee54a2b87e5787.jpg)
An early goal from Ferran Torres proved enough for a much-changed Spain side to seal their place in the knockout stages of Euro 2024 with a 100 per cent record after a 1-0 win over Albania in Dusseldorf.With their qualification from Group B already assured, Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente made a staggering 10 changes, with Aymeric Laporte the only player to survive their previous win over Italy...
![](https://static-assets.7msport.com/7msport/2406/8875/228265/aa378c6d0bb83c556bc7e60a696660f2.jpg)
Let's start our 7M Daily Laugh today. Some things never change Scotland are the 2nd team to be eliminated from Euro 2024 Get well soon Barnabas Varga Meanwhile, Ben White Scotland: First to arrive, first to leave. Same energy Please stay tuned on 7M Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, originaltrollfootball)...
![](https://static-assets.7msport.com/7msport/2406/4770/228264/173dbd1134a8575d79a38644487e4761.jpg)
![](http://data.7msport.com/team_data/8082/logo_img/club_logo.jpg)
![](http://data.7msport.com/team_data/8082/logo_img/club_logo.jpg)
- 1 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 2 Euro 2024 presenter stuns in tiny blue and white bikini on boat trip
- 3 Scotland knocked out of Euro 2024 after last-gasp defeat to Hungary
- 4 Babestation girl reveals exactly when drunk England fans call
- 5 CR7 climbs through bushes to take selfies with Portugal fans
- 6 Kylian Mbappe remains on bench as France and the Netherlands draw in Leipzig
- 7 Cristiano Ronaldo is WORST celeb I've ever met
- 8 Daily Laugh - Germany 2-0 Hungary
- 9 Belgium fan won modelling contract after being seen in crowd
- 10 Argentina open Copa America defence with 2-0 win over Canada