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Albania celebrating Euro 2024 Croatia Luka ModricGetty/GOAL

Game over for Luka Modric? Albania stage incredible stoppage-time comeback to seriously dent Croatia's Euro 2024 knockout hopes

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  • Albania scored early yet again
  • Croatia fought back in second half to lead
  • Huge drama in final moments sees Gjasula equalise
  • Albania celebrating Klaus Gjasula's late goal against Croatia at Euro 2024Getty Images

    TELL ME MORE

    Another game and another early goal for Albania! Qasim Laci was brought into the starting line-up for this fixture and wasted no time in making an impact, as he latched onto a tantalising cross from Jasir Asani in the 11th minute to glance his header home.

    One of the shock stories in this tournament weren't done there, either. Nedim Bajrami found himself free in the box and forced Dominik Livakovic into a smart save down to his right. Albania were pushing for a second.

    Croatia did, however, attempt to address the issues within their line-up at half-time as they made a flurry of changes. Mario Pasalic and Luka Sucic were introduced and they did look more threatening following the changes. Indeed, the goals were coming and they eventually arrived as Andrej Kramaric slotted an equaliser past Thomas Strakosha, before Sucic's effort cannoned off an Albanian defender and gave Croatia the lead.

    Now 2-1 ahead, it looked as if the game was over and the points were in the bag for Croatia. How wrong were we! Albania continued to push and eventually found a stoppage-time equaliser through Klaus Gjasula, keeping their Euro 2024 dreams alive.

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  • DID YOU KNOW?

    Croatia and Albania had never met in a competitive match prior to their clash in Hamburg on Wednesday - despite the two sides only being separated by just over 500 kilometres.

  • Klaus Gjasula Albania Euro 2024CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP via Getty Images

    THE MVP

    With all the odds stacked against them yet again, Albania simply a found a way to get something from this fixture. They dominated the first half and were forced to adapt after the break - and eventually they got their reward. Hard work, perseverance and belief have kept their Euro 2024 hopes alive as they sit third in Group B.

  • Luka Modric Croatia Euro 2024Getty Images

    THE BIG LOSER

    You can't look past Croatia as a collective being the big losers here. For all their promise in the second half of this fixture, and how threatening they looked in attack, they failed to hold out and secure all three points in the dying embers of the game.

    It looks like this tournament is going to be a step too far for the old guard, and Monday's final group-stage fixture against Italy may well be the last time we see Luka Modric in a Croatia shirt. Sad times.

  • Croatia looking dejected after drawing with Albania at Euro 2024Getty Images

    WHAT COMES NEXT?

    Croatia will now prepare to face Euro 2020 champions Italy in their final fixture in Group B, while Albania will look ahead to a tough test against Spain. The games are scheduled to take place on June 24 and while both nations do still have a chance of qualifying for the last 16 - with four of the best third-placed sides going through - they clearly have mountains to climb.

  • MATCH RATING (OUT OF FIVE): ⭐⭐⭐