Alessandro Bastoni and Nicolò Barella overturned a disastrous start to EURO 2024 against Albania, as Nedim Bajrami scored within 23 seconds, for Italy to begin with a victory.
The Azzurri had Nicolò Barella ready to start after missing both warm-up games and Riccardo Calafiori got only his third senior Italy cap in defence. There were numerous faces familiar to Serie A, including Berat Djimsiti, Kristjan Asllani, Elseid Hysaj and Ylber Ramadani.
See how it unfolded on the LIVEBLOG.
It took an astonishing 23 seconds to break the deadlock, as Alessandro Bastoni was surprised by a Federico Dimarco throw-in and Sassuolo midfielder Nadim Bajrami managed to blast it into the near top corner from a tight angle. It was the fastest ever European Championship goal.
The fastest goal in Euros history 😲⏱#BBCEuros #Euro2024 #ITAALB pic.twitter.com/gDFyPgggTp
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 15, 2024
Lorenzo Pellegrini was leaning back to steer wide from 12 yards on the Gianluca Scamacca back-heel flick moments later, then on a corner kick routine the Roma midfielder’s cross found Alessandro Bastoni for a free header at the back post.
This game! 😍
Italy make it 1-1 just over 10 minutes in!#ITAALB #BBCEuros #Euro2024 pic.twitter.com/8IAUe5JKwH
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 15, 2024
Italy turned it around completely, as Barella smashed in from the edge of the area after Dimarco’s challenge on Asani in the box.
What is happening?! 😅
ANOTHER goal as Italy take the lead!#ITAALB #BBCEuros #Euro2024 pic.twitter.com/jCuLu0Y2cq
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 15, 2024
Davide Frattesi was unfortunate not to get a third on 33 minutes, as he ran onto the Scamacca through ball and a cheeky lob was fingertipped onto the upright by Thomas Strakosha.
The former Lazio goalkeeper also made a good save on Scamacca at the near post, while Chiesa curled just wide from the edge of the area.
Albania had a huge opportunity to equalise at the 90th minute when ex-Serie A striker Rey Manaj chested down a long ball and dinked it over Donnarumma, denied by the goalkeeper’s ribs.
BIG chance for Rey Manaj and Albania! 😲#ITAALB #BBCEuros #Euro2024 pic.twitter.com/pxVH7mDyKb
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 15, 2024
Italy 2-1 Albania
Bajrami 1 (A), Bastoni 11 (I), Barella 16 (I)
Player statistic
| 1' |  |
Nedim Bajrami | ||
| Alessandro Bastoni (Assist: Lorenzo Pellegrini) |
|
11' | ||
| Nicolò Barella | |
16' | ||
| Lorenzo Pellegrini |  |
22' |
| Riccardo Calafiori | |
51' | ||
| 52' | |
Armando Broja | ||
| 74' | |
Arbër Hoxha |
Match statistic
Pathetic performance. Should have scored more goals in the first half. Second half pathetic didn’t even try to score a third goal and lucky at the end to not draw the game. We are toothless, same crap, always happy to hang on at the end. Same tonight like against Bosnia. Can’t kill teams off and happy to sit back and hang onto a one goal lead. Really poor, against probably the worst team in the tournament.