Football: Spain continue unbeaten Euro 2024 run against Albania, Italy progress with draw against Croatia

Spain have continued their perfect start to Euro 2024 with a comfortable 1-0 victory over a spirited - but now eliminated - Albania, with a superb Ferran Torres strike early in the game enough to make it three straight wins at the tournament.

Spain had already qualified for the last 16 and went ahead after 13 minutes, when Dani Olmo threaded the ball through to Torres, who fired a sumptuous low shot in off the far post.

Spain dominated play, and Torres, Mikel Merino and Joselu all came close to scoring. Albania showed determination throughout and fought desperately for a goal, with Kristjan Asllani and substitute Armando Broja forcing keeper David Raya into saves at full stretch.

Albania's defeat means they go home, while Spain go through atop Group B. 

Meanwhile, an added-time goal from Italy's Mattia Zaccagni has snatched a 1-1 draw with Croatia, which was enough to earn them a place in the last 16 as Group B runners-up, where they will face Switzerland, while Croatia must wait to see if they progress.

After a scoreless first half, Croatia's Luka Modric had a penalty saved in the 54th minute, but less than a minute later, he smashed home a rebound, after Gianluigi Donnarumma pulled off another fine save from Ante Budimir.

The goal brought defending champions Italy to life and they pressed for the equaliser that would take them through, and with time running out, Zaccagni curled home a shot from distance to break Croatian hearts.

Italy finish with four points, while Croatia are third on two points and must wait to see if they will progress as one of the best four third-placed finishers.

Albania loss to Spain also means England, France and the Netherlands are now guaranteed to finish at least among the four best third-placed teams.

Reuters

Spain have continued their perfect start to Euro 2024 with a comfortable 1-0 victory over a spirited - but now eliminated - Albania, with a superb Ferran Torres strike early in the game enough to make it three straight wins at the tournament.

Spain had already qualified for the last 16 and went ahead after 13 minutes, when Dani Olmo threaded the ball through to Torres, who fired a sumptuous low shot in off the far post.

Spain dominated play, and Torres, Mikel Merino and Joselu all came close to scoring. Albania showed determination throughout and fought desperately for a goal, with Kristjan Asllani and substitute Armando Broja forcing keeper David Raya into saves at full stretch.

Albania's defeat means they go home, while Spain go through atop Group B. 

Meanwhile, an added-time goal from Italy's Mattia Zaccagni has snatched a 1-1 draw with Croatia, which was enough to earn them a place in the last 16 as Group B runners-up, where they will face Switzerland, while Croatia must wait to see if they progress.

After a scoreless first half, Croatia's Luka Modric had a penalty saved in the 54th minute, but less than a minute later, he smashed home a rebound, after Gianluigi Donnarumma pulled off another fine save from Ante Budimir.

The goal brought defending champions Italy to life and they pressed for the equaliser that would take them through, and with time running out, Zaccagni curled home a shot from distance to break Croatian hearts.

Italy finish with four points, while Croatia are third on two points and must wait to see if they will progress as one of the best four third-placed finishers.

Albania loss to Spain also means England, France and the Netherlands are now guaranteed to finish at least among the four best third-placed teams.

Reuters

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