Croatia 0-1 Albania - Euro 2024: Live score, team news and updates (2024)

What a ball this is from Asani!

The ball is worked out to the right and Perisic can't get close to the Albanian wide player and it is Qazim Laci - the man who came into the team today - who is able to head home.

Another early goal for Albania, can they hold on this time?

Albania, dressed in black, get us underway against Croatia - the first time these nations have met in their history.

23 seconds in and Albania have not scored like they did against Italy.

Though it is a fast start as Bajrami attempts to put in a cross which is cleared.

Croatia XI: Livakovic; Juranovic, Sutalo, Gvardiol, Perisic; Brozovic, Modric, Kovacic; Majer, Kramaric, Petkovic

Albania XI: Strakosha; Hysaj, Ajeti, Djimsiti, Mitaj; Ramadani, Asllani; Asani, Bajrami, Laci; Manaj

Croatia and Albania both seem to be very up for today's game going off the competitiveness of their pre-match warm-ups.

Luka Modric and Marcelo Brozovic both lunging in on a 50/50 attempt to get the ball might have had the Croatia manager wincing.

Less than 15 minutes to go!

Sylvinho has gone from the first Brazilian player to sign for Arsenal in 1999, to manager of Albania a quarter of a century later.

He was the left-back of Arsene Wenger's Arsenal before an injury led to him being displaced by Ashley Cole - only one of the greatest players of that position.

There was plenty of positives for Sylvinho in their opening game, something which he is eager to take into this match.

In his pre-match press conference, he said;

Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic has urged his side to 'be even better' against Albania - after losing 3-0 in their opening game.

In his pre-match press conference, he said;

If Albania beat Croatia today it would be the biggest shock in Euros history - going off their respective FIFA world rankings.

Albania are only ranked 66th in the world, while Croatia are in a lofty 10th.

The current record was only set on Monday, when Slovakia (48th) beat Belgium (3rd).

The final preparations are well underway with kick-off in around 45 minutes.

Here is a peek inside the dressing rooms with the match shirts lined up for the players.

Which of these names will be the key man this afternoon?

Players from both nations have been arriving at the Volskparkstadion.

Croatia's major stars including Mateo Kovacic and Luka Modric had stern looks on their faces - they know the importance of today's game.

Armando Broja meanwhile looked far from pleased, perhaps already knowing his place on the bench. Just one international goal since 2022 might just play a huge part in his manager Sylvinho's thinking.

Ahead of their must-win game against Albania you would have thought Croatian manager Zlatko Dalic would be fully concentrating on his opponents.

However, he aimed a dig at England during his pre-match press conference - as part of his defence of his own side after their heavy 3-0 loss to Spain.

He pointed out England's lack of medals and insisted that Croatia deserve 'greater respect' for what they have achieved.

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Looks like a glorious day in Hamburg with fans making their way to the Volksparkstadion in the sunshine.

Fans have been enjoying some pre-match drinks, getting their faces and bodies painted in their country's national flag while one Albanian got himself a picture with Ivana Knoll - the Croatian model who became a sensation during the 2022 World Cup.

Croatia got all the way to the semi-finals in Qatar but could be in serious danger of getting eliminated at the group stage if the result doesn't go their way today.

Albania showed against Italy they can cause some problems and their fans will be confident of pulling an upset this afternoon.