The reigning European Championship holders begin the defence of their title on Saturday night, with Italy facing Albania in Group B – and with much having changed since their triumph in London three years ago.
Since winning the delayed Euros in 2021, the Azzurri have failed to qualify for the World Cup and turned over coaches in far more rapid fashion than usual but Luciano Spalletti looks to have reestablished some order with them and they look in good shape ahead of the start of Euro 2024 – albeit robbed of a couple of players through injury and perhaps lacking some star quality of previous years.
Albania will be hoping to cause an upset along the way but know they face an uphill battle to make it past the group stage, with Croatia and Spain – the other teams in the group – having met earlier today and still lying in wait for them. Follow all the latest build-up and team news from Italy vs Albania below plus minute-by-minute updates from Spain vs Croatia:
FT: Spain 3-0 Croatia
Holders Italy are up next for Spain, with that game kicking off at 8pm BST on Thursday, 20 June.
For Croatia, next up is a crucial game against Albania. They desperately need three points on Wednesday, 19 June – that game kicks off at 2pm in Hamburg.
Chris Wilson15 June 2024 19:05
Spain vs Croatia player ratings
Captain Alvaro Morata opened the scoring for Luis de la Fuente’s side in Berlin, following a fine Fabian Ruiz assist, and it was Ruiz who doubled the lead with an impressive solo goal.
The standout moment, however, might have come from Lamine Yamal, when the 16-year-old assisted Dani Carvajal with a brilliant cross for 3-0.
Croatia thought they had pulled one back in the second half, when substitute Bruno Petkovic won a penalty, hit the spot, and scored in the aftermath, but the goal was ruled out for encroachment.
Jack Rathborn15 June 2024 19:03
Chris Wilson15 June 2024 19:02
Italy vs Albania official line-ups
Italy XI: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Calafiori, Bastoni, Dimarco; Jorginho, Barella; Chiesa, Frattesi, Pellegrini; Scamacca
Albania XI: Strakosha; Hysaj, Ajeti, Djimsiti, Mitaj; Asllani, Ramadani, Bajrami; Asani, Broja, Seferi
Jack Rathborn15 June 2024 19:01
FULL-TIME: Spain 3-0 Croatia
Carvajal is fouled near his own box and that should be that.
The referee blows the whistle and Spain wrap up what was, in the end, a fairly comfortable three points.
Chris Wilson15 June 2024 18:57
Euro 2024: Spain 3-0 Croatia
Spain have a late corner, which is taken short, but it ends up in the hands of Livakovic.
Croatia counter, but Spain win it back easily and Olmo clips it over the top to Oyarzabal, who loses it through a foul.
Chris Wilson15 June 2024 18:55
Euro 2024: Spain 3-0 Croatia
Croatia work it well on the right but Spain are doing everything to preserve this clean sheet, and they force Perisic into heading it over the bar.
Chris Wilson15 June 2024 18:53
Euro 2024: Spain 3-0 Croatia
Almost excellent from Torres to bring it down on the right, but he handled it in the process.
There’ll be five added minutes in Berlin.
Chris Wilson15 June 2024 18:51
Euro 2024: Spain 3-0 Croatia
Oyarzabal threads it through to Torres on the right, and his shot is deflected behind for a corner.
Chris Wilson15 June 2024 18:50
Euro 2024: Spain 3-0 Croatia
Croatia have probably deserved at least one goal tonight, but it’s not to be so far.
Petkovic spreads it wide to Perisic, whose cross is blocked. The latter collects it soon after and hits it from range, but Simon collects after briefly spilling it. Desperate, really.
Rodri, who was booked when conceding the panelty, is down now, and Spain are preparing more subs. Martin Zubimendi replaces the Man City midfielder, while Ferran Torres comes on for Yamal.
Chris Wilson15 June 2024 18:47