Football

ITA Vs ALB, UEFA Euro 2024: Italy Recover From 23rd Second Goal From Albania To Win 2-1 - In Pics

Italy recovered from letting in the quickest goal in the tournament's 64-year history to beat Albania 2-1 in Dortmund on Saturday in an atmospheric Adriatic derby that immediately threatened an upset. Nedim Bajrami thrilled a heavily pro-Albanian crowd at Westfalenstadion by pouncing on a throw-in by Italy left back Federico Dimarco that failed to reach teammate Alessandro Bastoni, before taking a touch and smashing a rising shot inside the near post. Within 16 minutes, the Italians were ahead as Bastoni headed in Lorenzo Pellegrini's cross to the back post in the 11th then Nicolo Barella struck home a swerving first-time shot from the edge of the area.

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
Euro 2024 Soccer Italy Albania Photo_1
UEFA Euro 2024: Italy vs Albania | Photo: AP/Frank Augstein

Albania's players greet supporters after a Group B match between Italy and Albania at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Dortmund, Germany. Italy won 2-1.

1/10
Euro 2024 Soccer Italy Albania Photo_2
Alessandro Bastoni and Armando Broja fight for the ball | Photo: AP/Frank Augstein
  • Facebook Social
  • Twitter Social
  • Google Plus Social
  • WhatsApp Social

Italy's Alessandro Bastoni, back, and Albania's Armando Broja fight for the ball during a Group B match between Italy and Albania at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Dortmund, Germany.

2/10
Euro 2024 Soccer Italy Albania Photo_3
Taulant Seferi and Federico Chiesa compete for the ball | Photo: AP/Frank Augstein
  • Facebook Social
  • Twitter Social
  • Google Plus Social
  • WhatsApp Social

Albania's Taulant Seferi, right, and Italy's Federico Chiesa compete for the ball during a Group B match between Italy and Albania at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Dortmund, Germany.

3/10
Euro 2024 Soccer Italy Albania Photo_4
Nicolo Barella celebrates after scoring team's second goal | Photo: AP/Andreea Alexandru
  • Facebook Social
  • Twitter Social
  • Google Plus Social
  • WhatsApp Social

Italy's Nicolo Barella celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during a Group B match between Italy and Albania at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Dortmund, Germany.

4/10
Euro 2024 Soccer Italy Albania Photo_5
Armando Broja and Lorenzo Pellegrini fight for the ball | Photo: AP/Frank Augstein
  • Facebook Social
  • Twitter Social
  • Google Plus Social
  • WhatsApp Social

Albania's Armando Broja, right, and Italy's Lorenzo Pellegrini fight for the ball during a Group B match between Italy and Albania at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Dortmund, Germany.

5/10
Euro 2024 Soccer Italy Albania Photo_6
Alessandro Bastoni scores Italy's opening goal | Photo: AP/Martin Meissner
  • Facebook Social
  • Twitter Social
  • Google Plus Social
  • WhatsApp Social

Italy's Alessandro Bastoni, left, scores his side's opening goal during a Group B match between Italy and Albania at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Dortmund, Germany.

6/10
Euro 2024 Soccer Italy Albania Photo_7
Italy players celebrate team's goal against Albania | Photo: AP/Alessandra Tarantino
  • Facebook Social
  • Twitter Social
  • Google Plus Social
  • WhatsApp Social

Italy's Alessandro Bastoni, center, celebrates with his teammate Lorenzo Pellegrini after scoring his side's opening goal during a Group B match between Italy and Albania at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Dortmund, Germany.

7/10
Euro 2024 Soccer Italy Albania Photo_8
Federico Chiesa and Albania's Taulant Seferi | Photo: AP/Frank Augstein
  • Facebook Social
  • Twitter Social
  • Google Plus Social
  • WhatsApp Social

Italy's Federico Chiesa, left, tries control the ball past Albania's Taulant Seferi during a Group B match between Italy and Albania at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Dortmund, Germany.

8/10
Euro 2024 Soccer Italy Albania Photo_9
Jorginho reacts as he competes against Albania | Photo: AP/Frank Augstein
  • Facebook Social
  • Twitter Social
  • Google Plus Social
  • WhatsApp Social

Italy's Jorginho, front, reacts as he competes for the ball during a Group B match between Italy and Albania at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Dortmund, Germany.

9/10
Euro 2024 Soccer Italy Albania Photo_10
Nedim Bajrami scores opening goal against Italy | Photo: AP/Andreea Alexandru
  • Facebook Social
  • Twitter Social
  • Google Plus Social
  • WhatsApp Social

Albania's Nedim Bajrami scores his side's opening goal during a Group B match between Italy and Albania at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Dortmund, Germany.

10/10
Euro 2024 Soccer Italy Albania Photo_11
Nedim Bajrami celebrates after scoring a goal | Photo: AP/Alessandra Tarantino
  • Facebook Social
  • Twitter Social
  • Google Plus Social
  • WhatsApp Social

Albania's Nedim Bajrami celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during a Group B match between Italy and Albania at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Dortmund, Germany.