Albania vs Spain live: Updates as minnows attempt to upset three ...

4 days ago

Eurosport.com

Updated 24/06/2024 at 21:11 GMT

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Right, that's me done for this evening. If you missed any of the action, here's my full report - and thanks for joining me

ALBANIA 0-1 SPAIN - REPORT

Group B winners Spain maintained their 100% record at Euro 2024, as Ferran Torres’ first half strike proved to be enough to dump minnows Albania out of the tournament.

Sylvinho’s side came out of the blocks quickly, but La Roja kept tabs on them and after Mikel Merino had seen a strong header saved, they took the lead when Torres received Dani Olmo’s pass and curled into the bottom corner.

From then on, the three-time European Champions were cruising, although Merino and Torres wasted further chances to extend the lead, before Kristjan Asllani nearly equalised at the other end on the stroke of half-time with a fierce shot that was palmed to safety.

That gave Albania hope going into the break, and substitute Armando Broja forced a further fine stop out of David Raya, while Kristjan Asllani dragged another fizzing strike just wide.

Indeed, the Eagles were impressive and industrious in the second half, but they found no reward for their efforts, with Broja coming closest when denied by Raya, as Albania ultimately slipped to a defeat which means they remain winless at major international tournaments.

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So Spain finish top of Group B with nine points. Italy comes second with four, knocking out Croatia (2) and Albania (1)

Italy have just scored a last-gasp goal to sneak a draw against Croatia. That result means they go through - and so do England, who are guaranteed, at worst, a third-placed finishers spot.

CATCH THE CLOSING STAGES ELSEWHERE

Croatia are heading through as things stand

We don't know who their opponent is yet, but we know the venue and date - Cologne on Saturday

End of 2nd Half

90+5'

FULL-TIME: ALBANIA 0-1 SPAIN

And there goes the full-time whistle. Albania are out, and they will be disappointed as they had their chances. Spain, on the other hand, march on. Three games played, three wins, not a single goal conceded. That's ominously good.

RAYA TO THE RESCUE ONCE MORE

Albania cause havoc with a free-kick from the right and Broja wriggles into space to stab goalwards, but a flying Raya dives to his right to pluck the ball out of the air

An extra four minutes have been signalled. Is that enough time for a desperate Albania?

A yellow card for the defender after wrestling Broja to the ground

Yellow card

D. Vivian

Spain

He gets a yellow card for a foul on Lopez

THREE MINUTES TO TURN IT AROUND

Albania are showing plenty of intent, but can they find a route to goal? If they score twice, they're through, but that's a big, big ask at this stage

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Alex Baena replaces the impressive Olmo

HOXHA SMASHES MILES OFF TARGET

Albania break into the box and the substitute skips past his man in the box, before blazing wildly high and wide

Asani is off. Ernest Muci comes on

And from the resulting corner, Morata nods off target

Chances at both ends, the latter falling to Spain as Olmo receives Morata's lay-off, but a defender throws himself in front of the shot and it deflects out for a corner

Another ambitious effort from outside the area, and it's not a bad one as Asllani works space on his left foot on the edge of the box, but hooks wide of the far post

WHAT FOOTBALL IS ON TNT SPORTS?

*Any matches that fall within the Saturday blackout window in the UK cannot be shown live. The blackout window prohibits matches being shown on television between 14:45 and 17:15 in the UK.