Italy bounced back after shocking start

Albania shocked Italy in the European Championship opener. But it was the reigning champions who had the final say. The Italians won 2–1 and got a taste of success in the championship in Germany.

» Published: June 15 2024

Italy bounced back after shocking start
Photo: Alessandra Tarantino/AP/TT

Share this article

Albania shocked Italy in the European Championship opener.

But it was the reigning champions who had the last word.

The Italians won 2–1 and got a taste of the championship in Germany.

Barely had the audience had time to settle in their seats at the classic Westfalenstadion in Dortmund before Albania took the lead.

The match clock showed 22 seconds when Italian full-back Federico Dimarco threw in a long throw-in straight to Nedim Bajrami. The Albanian star made no mistake, from close range he slammed the ball into the net. The goal is the European Championship's fastest – but the Albanian lead did not last long.

For Italy came back.

And they did so convincingly.

Centre-back Alessandro Bastoni equalised to 1–1 after just 11 minutes of play, and shortly afterwards, profile player Nicolo Barella scored 2–1 with a right-footed shot from distance.

Anyone familiar with Italian football knows that "Gli Azzurri" have no problem playing for a result, and so it was this evening as well.

Italy controlled the game, at a moderate pace, and although Albania tried to push forward in the second half, they did not create enough to score an equaliser.

With the win, Italy takes the lead over Spain, who defeated Croatia, in Group B. Italy and Spain meet on Thursday, while Albania faces Croatia on Wednesday.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Carlos Alcaraz Wins Second US Open Title, Becomes World Number One
2 MIN READ

Carlos Alcaraz Wins Second US Open Title, Becomes World Number One

Spain Dominates Turkey with Six Goals in World Cup Qualifier
1 MIN READ

Spain Dominates Turkey with Six Goals in World Cup Qualifier

Germany Overcomes Northern Ireland 3-1 After Half-Time Booing
1 MIN READ

Germany Overcomes Northern Ireland 3-1 After Half-Time Booing

Djurgården Signs Experienced Defender Philip Holm for SHL Return
1 MIN READ

Djurgården Signs Experienced Defender Philip Holm for SHL Return

US Open Final Delayed Due to Security as Trump Attends
1 MIN READ

US Open Final Delayed Due to Security as Trump Attends

Olsen Retains Confidence for World Championship Qualifier After Error
3 MIN READ

Olsen Retains Confidence for World Championship Qualifier After Error

Salétros Embraces Key Role Ahead of Sweden's Crucial Match Against Kosovo
2 MIN READ

Salétros Embraces Key Role Ahead of Sweden's Crucial Match Against Kosovo

Rory McIlroy Defeats Joakim Lagergren in Irish Open Playoff
1 MIN READ

Rory McIlroy Defeats Joakim Lagergren in Irish Open Playoff

Kosovo Coach Foda Criticizes Team's Performance Against Switzerland
3 MIN READ

Kosovo Coach Foda Criticizes Team's Performance Against Switzerland

Cycling Race in Germany Sees Many Seriously Injured After Crashes
1 MIN READ

Cycling Race in Germany Sees Many Seriously Injured After Crashes

Italy Wins Volleyball World Championship in Thrilling Final
1 MIN READ

Italy Wins Volleyball World Championship in Thrilling Final

Verstappen Dominates Monza with Third Formula 1 Win of the Season
1 MIN READ

Verstappen Dominates Monza with Third Formula 1 Win of the Season

Fanny Roos Throws Over 19 Meters Again in World Championship Prep
1 MIN READ

Fanny Roos Throws Over 19 Meters Again in World Championship Prep

Tove Alexandersson Overcomes Injury to Finish Second in Canfranc Marathon
1 MIN READ

Tove Alexandersson Overcomes Injury to Finish Second in Canfranc Marathon

Kapocs Scores Early but Liverpool Falls to Everton 4-1 in Super League Opener
1 MIN READ

Kapocs Scores Early but Liverpool Falls to Everton 4-1 in Super League Opener

Medvedev Hires Thomas Johansson as New Coach
1 MIN READ

Medvedev Hires Thomas Johansson as New Coach

Horse Runs Amok at Jägersro Track Injuring Two Seriously
2 MIN READ

Horse Runs Amok at Jägersro Track Injuring Two Seriously

Kosovo vs Sweden: World Championship Qualifier Match Preview
2 MIN READ

Kosovo vs Sweden: World Championship Qualifier Match Preview

Roony Bardghji Set for La Liga Debut with Barcelona
3 MIN READ

Roony Bardghji Set for La Liga Debut with Barcelona

TV Networks Asked to Censor Reactions to Trump at US Open Final
1 MIN READ

TV Networks Asked to Censor Reactions to Trump at US Open Final