(sabasports resport) Defending champions Italy take on Albania in the first round of Euro 2024 Group B. Just 23 seconds into the game, Di Marco failed to control a throwin from the back and Bajrami picked up the ball and blasted home to give Albania a 1-0 lead. The goal set a new record for the fastest goal ever scored at Euro 2004, set by Russia’s Andrei Kirichenko 67 seconds into the tournament.
Then Italy struck back hard. In the first half, Bastoni and Barella scored to give Italy a 2-1 lead. In the second half, the two teams attacked and defended each other, but there was no chance to change the score. In the end, Italy successfully reversed Albania with two goals in the first half to get the European Cup off to a good start.
The match showed Italy’s stability and ability to respond to a sudden challenge, and despite conceding an early goal, they quickly regained their rhythm and eventually took control of the game. As the group stage began, Italy showed the strength and determination of the defending champions, laying a solid foundation for defending the honor.