Spain have sealed their place as Euro 2024 Group B winners with maximum 9 points after a win over Albania while Zaccagni’s late equaliser bundles Croatia out of the competition.
Albania 0-1 Spain
Spain have maintained a perfect record in the group stages of Euro 2024 after a narrow 1-0 victory over Albania in Group B final round of matches. Unlike the other simultaneous Group B clash between Croatia and Italy, La Roja went into this game as favourites, having won their two matches against Croatia and Italy.
Albanians still stood a chance to qualify for the round of 16 going into the match after they only lost to Italy and drew Croatia. However, they needed a win against the star-studded Spanish side, who emerged as the best team in the group after their past two matches.
![Euro 2024 Spain Italy](https://futballnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/CgAGVmZ5z3aALvYoACxQOmyAnTQ962.jpg.webp)
As expected, the three-time champions started on a good note dominating proceedings and were looking set to take the lead. After a marathon of pressure which saw Albanian commit more bodies to the low block, La Roja finally found the back of the net, thanks to a cool 13th-minute finish by Ferran Torres. Albania did little to mount a response but made well their efforts to stop the Spaniards from scoring more goals.
Ferran Torres’ 13th-minute strike was all Spain needed to make it a perfect group stage with three wins in three matches to top the group.
Euro 2024 Group B Result: Croatia 1-1 Italy
In the other group match, Croatia traded tackles with Italy for a place in the knockout round. The Italians needed a draw to book a slot in the next round of the competition provided Spain won or drew Albania in the other encounter. In contrast, it was a must-win for Croatia if they wanted to qualify for the next round of the competition.
As expected, it was a tight affair at the RB Leipzig Stadium at Red Bull Arena. The two sides squared up in a tight affair that saw them unable to find the back of the net throughout the first half.
![Euro 2024 Spain Italy](https://futballnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/snksj66_xws_625x300_25_June_24.jpg)
Croatia was the dominated side in the first 45 minutes. They struggled with only two shots – all outside and could not make a headway through Italy’s solid backline. Meanwhile, the Luciano Spalletti side were enjoying a good spell of possession and were the most likely to take the lead. However, luck shone on them and they were able to run away with a barren draw at the end of the first 45 minute.
In the second half, Italy continued from where they stopped but were dealt a big blow in the 52nd minute when they conceded a cheap penalty. Kramaric had latched on are a rebound from Brozovic and the ball struck Frattesi’s arms inside the penalty area. The referee did not award the penalty initially but finally did after a VAR check.
Luka Modric took the spot-kick but failed to beat Donnarumma, who saved it. Modric would later make up for his missed penalty, scoring a minute late to give Croatia the lead. The Croatians just needed a few seconds to hold on and book a place in Euro 2024 knockout but were finally pegged to a draw and bundled out of the competition just at the last touch of the game.
Zaccagni’s 90+8th-minute goal finally did the magic for Italy, salvaging a late draw for the defending champions to seal their place in the knockout round.