Italy Emerges Victorious After Historic Quick Goal by Albanian Bajrami
The legendary yellow wall of the Westfalenstadion was dyed Albanian red and still aflame from the roar of the anthem when Dimarco took a throw-in into an open space in his own area. Nedim Bajrami appeared there, free of any harassment, to score the fastest goal in European Championship history after just 23 seconds. The Sassuolo playmaker’s historic right-footed shot further ignited the 40,000 Albanians celebrating in the stands. Bajrami's goal broke the long-standing record set by Russian Dmitri Kririchenko in 2004.
Gianluigi Donnarumma, Federico Dimarco, Riccardo Calafiori, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Alessandro Bastoni, Nicolò Barella, Jorginho, Davide Frattesi, Gianluca Scamacca, Federico Chiesa, Lorenzo Pellegrini led Italy to a resilient comeback. Barely affected by the early setback, Italy equalized in the 11th minute through Alessandro Bastoni. Barella’s stunning volley in the 15th minute put Italy ahead, turning the match around within a short span.
Dimarco's throw-in error was a significant early blow, putting pressure on Luciano Spalletti's side. However, Italy’s response was swift. Bastoni’s equalizer came from a cleverly planned corner kick, and Barella capitalized on a loose ball to send a beautifully curved shot into the goal. Thomas Strakosha of Albania was left helpless by these precise efforts. Despite some sporadic Albanian counterattacks, Italy maintained control, keeping their composure.
Italy’s defense, led by the likes of Bastoni and Calafiori, proved to be robust. Calafiori showcased why he is regarded as one of Serie A’s best players, demonstrating both defensive solidity and creative play. As the game progressed, Spalletti’s decision to play with a defensive four and utilize Scamacca’s height and skill paid dividends. Scamacca created numerous opportunities, including a close chance to make it 3-1.
Italy’s midfield, orchestrated by Jorginho and Barella, dominated possession, keeping Albania at bay. Jorginho and Barella controlled the pace, dictating play with precision passing. The Albanians struggled to break through, often resorting to individual efforts that were easily thwarted by the Italian defense.
The final moments of the match saw a scare for Italy as Donnarumma made a crucial save against Manaj in a one-on-one situation. This save secured Italy’s 2-1 victory, allowing their fans to breathe a sigh of relief. Despite the early setback, Italy finished strong, demonstrating resilience and tactical prowess. The Albanian fans, though disappointed by the loss, celebrated their team’s historic milestone with pride.
- Italy's lineup included crucial substitutions such as Federico Chiesa, Lorenzo Pellegrini, and Mateo Retegui, who all played significant roles in maintaining the team's structure and attacking threat.
- The match also had its share of disciplinary actions with yellow cards shown to Lorenzo Pellegrini (min. 20), Riccardo Calafiori (min. 50), Armando Broja (min. 51), and Arbër Hoxha (min. 74), reflecting the intense and competitive nature of the encounter.
- Luciano Spalletti’s tactical acumen was evident as he adjusted the team's formation and strategy effectively after the initial setback, showcasing his ability to guide the team through challenging situations. His approach of not speculating with minimal advantages highlighted a shift from traditional Italian 'catenaccio' to a more dynamic and assertive play style.
