On a wild evening in Dortmund, the Azzuri confirmed their mettle and refound their class after a chaotic first minute of a well-known match at Euro 2024

Albania shocked Italy with the quickest objective in Euros historical past, coming after simply 23 seconds, as Federico Dimarco left his throw-in brief and Alessandro Bastoni melted into the bottom after which earlier than anybody might perceive what was taking place Nedim Bajrami had thumped a strike inside Gianluigi Donnarumma’s close to publish. Bajrami raced away, falling into the embrace of a stadium shedding its head.

Italy trudged again to midway and in that second it appeared the newest twist within the cycle of turmoil that has adopted the Azzurri since they defeated England on penalties to win the Euros. Luciano Spalletti, parachuted into the job lower than a yr in the past after the European champions did not qualify for the World Cup beneath Roberto Mancini, might have watched on and questioned what he had acquired himself into after quitting his sabbatical at his Tuscan farm.

However what adopted was a unique story, one not of Albania resistance, however of Italy discovering themselves once more. Italy haven’t acted like champions since that evening at Wembley however right here have been the primary embers of one thing acquainted. Simply as they did within the Euro 2020 remaining in opposition to England after conceding an early objective, Italy assumed management and shut down the narrative. After turning the sport round by half-time, the holders ensured the second was a non-event.  Till Rey Manaj chested down a protracted punt ahead and compelled Donnarumma into a significant contact to ship the ball narrowly huge within the ninetieth minute, Albania had not supplied a touch of risk since Bajrami had the holders rocking.

The massive information for these in England is that the Three Lions get their marketing campaign began tomorrow, as Gareth Southgate’s facet play Serbia in Gelsenkirchen at 8pm BST.

Poland face the Netherlands within the day’s early recreation at 2pm BST in Hamburg, earlier than Slovenia face Denmark in Stuttgart within the different recreation from England’s Group C.

We’ll have protection of all of the video games on what guarantees to be an intriguing Sunday. Thanks for following!

Forward of one other enthralling day of Euro 2024 motion tomorrow, right here’s a reminder of the outcomes to this point.

A brand new Spain, in additional methods than one. As Lamine Yamal, who was not even a yr previous after they gained Euro 2008, grew to become first the youngest footballer to play in a European Championships after which, earlier than half-time, the youngest to arrange a objective in a single, Luis de la Fuente’s facet made a break with the previous.

Nor, actually, was it Croatia as we’ve got come to know them: the good survivors, the event staff whose powers of endurance have carried them deep into World Cups, have been surprisingly supine. It was the Croatia of previous.

Kwadwo Duah’s maiden objective for Switzerland helped kick off their Euro 2024 marketing campaign with a 3-1 victory over Hungary at Cologne Stadium.

The 27-year-old had performed simply 45 minutes for the Swiss senior facet, and needed to anticipate VAR to verify his milestone second after he discovered the again of the online 12 minutes into the Group A contest.

Michel Aebischer, who assisted the opener, made it two on the stroke of half-time together with his personal first worldwide objective, whereas Barnabas Varga’s second-half header denied Murat Yakin’s males a clear sheet after the break.

Substitute Breel Embolo sealed victory with a cushioned lob after a poor defensive header in added time.

Right here’s how the Group B desk takes care of the primary spherical of fixtures. Do not forget that one of the best third-placed groups will qualify, so objective distinction will seemingly be important in some circumstances.

1 – Spain – 3 factors, GD +3

2 – Italy – 3 factors, GD +1

3 – Albania – 0 factors, GD -1

4 – Croatia – 0 factors, GD -3

For Italy, their defence of the European Championship trophy continues with a match in opposition to Spain at 8pm BST on Thursday, 20 June, at Schalke’s Veltins Enviornment in Gelsenkirchen.

Albania will face Croatia at 2pm BST on Wednesday, 19 June, as each search for their first factors of the event to this point.

Albania have what appears to be like to be one final assault, however Mitaj sweeps a half-cross, half-shot previous the publish.

And that’s it! Italy start their defence of the Euros with a win that was extra comfy than the scoreline suggests.

We’re into the final little bit of added time right here, and Albania attempt to hook it ahead however Di Lorenzo wins it.