Nedim Bajrami breaks a European Championship record after scoring in Albania’s Euro 2024 Group B opener against Italy at Westfalenstadion on Saturday night.
Nedim Bajrami has broken a European Championship record after scoring in Albania‘s Euro 2024 Group B opener against Italy at Westfalenstadion on Saturday night.
Competing at just their second-ever Euros, the Red and Blacks are regarded as one of the rank outsiders at this summer’s tournament in Germany and find themselves in a challenging group alongside holders Italy, Spain and Croatia.
Few would have envisaged Italy slipping up in their opening group fixture, but the Azzurri were left stunned in the first minute of their European title defence following a sharp start to the contest by Albania.
Federico Dimarco‘s sloppy throw-in aimed towards teammate Alessandro Bastoni inside the penalty area was pounced upon by Bajrami, who nipped in front of the Azzurri defender and took a touch before firing a venomous strike into the top corner from a tight angle.
WHAT A START FOR ALBANIA! 😱#ITAALB #BBCEuros #Euro2024 pic.twitter.com/iXhuMwPgcm
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 15, 2024
Bajrami’s strike made the net ripple after just 23 seconds and his goal is the fastest-ever recorded at the European Championship, surpassing the previous record held by Russia’s Dmitri Kirichenko, who scored after 67 seconds against Greece in Euro 2004.
Sylvinho relied on Bajrami’s attacking threat in Euro 2024 qualifying as he scored a team-high three goals in seven starts to help the Red and Blacks secure top spot in their group.
Albania’s supporters when wild as they celebrated their team opening the scoring against Italy, but their lead was short-lived as Bastoni restored parity for the European champions just 10 minutes later with a header at the far post following a corner.
Italy the completed the turnaround in the 16th minute when Nicolo Barella lashed home a superb first-time strike from the edge of the area, and as things stand, the Azzurri are still leading in the second half.
Luciano Spalletti‘s side will hope to hold onto their lead and move joint-top of Group B alongside Spain, who secured a statement 3-0 victory over Croatia earlier in the day.
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