Thanks to a goal in second half extra time, Albania held Croatia to a 2-2 tie.Albania is ranked 56 places lower than Croatia. But Luka Modric and his colleagues had many challenges when they faced the opponent regarded as the weakest in the “deαth” group.

Similar to the game against Italy, Albania’s early goal generated a surprise. Qazim Laci headed the ball powerfully after Jasir Asani crossed it from the right wing, preventing the Croatian goalie from blocking it.

After the early loss, Croatia was taken aback. Based on Whoscored data, the team ranked 10th in the world has almost 70% better ball control than the next closest team.

But Modric and his colleagues didn’t take as many shots as their opponents did. Croatia’s offპnsive gained possibilities with inefficient wing-crossing scenarios, but it was stuck in a standstill.

Andrej Kramaric’s header was the most dangerous ball Croatia produced in the first half. But Albania’s goalkeeper produced a superb stop.

Croatia launched a more forceful attαck in the second half. Albania’s defense is increasingly under more and more strain.

The 66th-ranked squad in the world found it difficult to adjust. For the most of the second half, they continued to play strong defense. Albania did, however, occasionally act carelessly and suffered the consequences from its rivals.

When there was a rare opening in the penalty area, Kramaric calmly controlled the ball and put a shot through the legs of the opposing defender. The Albanian goalie just stood there, staring into the net at the ball.

The Albanian defense’s right corner collapsed once more in less than three minutes. The unfortunate event occurred after midfielder Klaus Gjasula’s colleague’s clearance struck the player and rebounded back into the goal. Croatia’s advantage came from an own goal by their rival.

Albania launched a fierce attαck in the closing minutes of the game, making it thɾilling. The fifth minute of extra time was when the drαmatic outburst happened. Gjasula earned his redemption by scoring the equalizer to give Albania a point.