Klaus Gjasula strikes late after own goal to snatch Albania draw with Croatia
Just when it seemed they had done it again, when it seemed they had somehow ridden out the storm to find an implausible win, Klaus Gjasula, the substitute whose own goal seemed to have given Croatia victory, found an equaliser. A remarkable game ended in a draw greeted with euphoria by Albania, but which at half-time would have seemed a dreadful disappointment.
Croatia had lost to Spain. They had been largely outplayed by a younger and sharper Albania side in the first half. But they have a capacity to hang in games and tournaments until their talent eventually blossoms. At half-time here there seemed a very real possibility they could go out in the group stage. Albania deserved their lead. But something always happens: Argentina try to play a high press with Nicolás Otamendi, Scotland panic at the thought of at last getting out of a group, Romelu Lukaku suffers one of the all-time days of profligacy, Gjasula scores a ludicrous own goal. For once, though, that was not the end of the story.
Albania deserve great credit not only for their first-half performance but for holding their nerve. The build-up to Gjasula’s equaliser was clam and incisive. They had already had a couple of late opportunities but there was no panic. They trusted their talent and got their rewards. Once again they had impressed. Once again they had taken the lead. But as against Italy, they then conceded twice. This time, though, they converted their late opportunity. Even if they lose to Spain, they will leave this tournament having made more of an impression than they did in France eight years ago in their one previous Euros, even though they won a game then.
The Croatia coach, Zlatko Dalic, had complained that his side deserve more respect having achieved three podium finishes in the past six years (he includes the Nations League). He may have a point, but Croatia might seem more convincing challengers for this tournament if they weren not still, Josko Gvardiol aside, so dependent on the side that lost in the 2018 World Cup final.
Usually when three men with the combined age of Croatia’s midfield get together, it’s for a game of bowls, some reminiscing about a wild night a couple of decades ago (“Luka, tell us that one about Scott Carson again”), or a couple of gentle pints and a proper grumble about the scourge of progress. The midfield is becoming a problem for them. Sublimely gifted as their trio were, they lack the bite or energy of a modern group. It couldn’t endure and Marcelo Brozovic was one of two players replaced at half-time as Croatia switched to a 4-2-3-1.
What Spain had done, so did Albania before half-time. Their three attacking midfielders all found space repeatedly and were able to isolate Croatian defenders and drive at them. That was what brought the opening goal, after 11 minutes. With Ivan Perisic, slightly surprisingly deployed at left-back, slow to get out, Jasir Asani was granted a remarkable amount of space to bend in a cross from the right, picking out Qazim Laci. His header bounced awkwardly for Dominik Livakovic but the keeper should still surely have kept it out. Given Laci’s only previous competitive goal for his country had come in a World Cup qualifier against San Marino, it’s safe to say this was by some margin the most important goal he has ever scored.
Albania could have been further ahead by half-time as well, Kristjan Asllani slightly snatching at a chance as Asani’s pass was deflected into his path after Luka Modric had, unthinkably, conceded possession, and then Rey Manaj could not get sufficient purchase on a header to beat Livakovic. You cannot afford not to finish off Croatia if you have the chance.
In the first half on Wednesday, Croatia were not even generating opportunities. They had more of the ball but struggled to break Albania down. Only after the break with the change of shape did they begin to create. One substitute Luka Sucic forced a plunging save from Thomas Strakosha and another substitute Mario Pasalic headed a decent chance over, before Andrej Kramaric levelled with 16 minutes remaining, his shot squeezing between the legs of Elseid Hysaj. Having resisted for so long, Albania buckled. Although Pasalic’s shot was blocked it cannoned back off the luckless Gjasula and in.
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But there was one twist left. Albania found a second wind. Croatia were left clinging on. And then, suddenly, they weren’t any more and Gjasula had scored.