Euro 2024 continues to surprise with incredible moments, and Wednesday’s 2-2 draw between Croatia and Albania delivered one of the most unique. Zlatko Dalic’s side, reeling from a 3-0 defeat to Spain, sought redemption but found themselves part of an unforgettable match instead.
Albania struck first, with Qazim Lachi scoring against the run of play in the 11th minute. Croatia equalized in the 74th minute through Andrej Kramaric, and two minutes later, Albanian substitute Klaus Gjasula accidentally turned the game around with an own goal.
However, the late drama was far from over. Gjasula redeemed himself by scoring a crucial goal for Albania, rescuing a point and setting a remarkable milestone. According to Opta, he became the first substitute to score on both ends in a single match at both the FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championships.
The bizarre stats didn’t stop there. Gjasula, who entered the game in the 72nd minute, also received a yellow card for a foul on a Croatian attacker. In under 30 minutes, he scored for both teams and got booked, making his performance one for the history books.
For Croatia, the result complicates their Euro 2024 journey. With only one point from their first two games, Dalic’s side faces a must-win situation against defending champions Italy to have any hope of advancing.
The Croatia manager didn’t hold back, taking a swipe at the notion of his team being a ‘dark horse.’ “We are not here to surprise anyone; we are here to compete at the highest level,” Dalic stated, clearly frustrated by the label.
As Euro 2024 progresses, moments like these remind fans why they love the game. Gjasula’s incredible feat adds another chapter to the tournament’s rich history, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the next round of matches.
