Italy Survive Early Scare To Beat Albania In Euro 2024 Group Opener

Italy survived an early scare to overcome Albania 2-1 in Saturday’s Euro 2024 game.

Albania fans had the Dortmund BVB Stadion rocking when Nedim Bajrami blasted home from an angle after 23 seconds, capitalising on a rash throw-in by defender Federico Dimarco.

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The goal smashed the previous record held by Russia’s Dmitri Kirichenko who scored after 67 seconds against Greece in 2004.

Amid the din, however, Italy held their nerve and equalised in the 11th minute when Bastoni headed home when a short corner was swung in to the far post by Lorenzo Pellegrini.

Barella, returning to the national side after injury, put the Azzurri in front five minutes later when he slammed home from outside the box.