Albania vs Spain live updates (2024)

Spain underlined their Euro 2024 credentials as they beat Albania despite making 10 changes.

This was only the third time in the tournament’s history a manager had altered the starting XI so significantly — but Spain’s understudies were dominant in Dusseldorf.

They travel to Cologne next, where they will face one of the four best third-placed teams on Sunday, with Albania eliminated.

Dermot Corrigan and Jacob Whitehead analyse all the key talking points below.

Yes indeed. The good news for England, is that they are officially through to the last 16 of Euro 2024.

Albania failing to beat Spain did it, meaning even if England lose against Slovenia in their final group-stage game on Tuesday, they will qualify for the knockout phase as one of the best third-placed teams.

Let’s hope they start showing up too — if only for the health of everyone invested in them.

That Italy equaliser dropped Croatia down to third in the group, but the bigger issue is they are sat there with just two points.

Their only hope now is that England beat Slovenia by more than three goals — or variations of that scenario — to effectively put them below Croatia in this list from Fotmob.

Every other group is already guaranteed to have a third-placed finisher with a better record than Croatia, so it’s all on Slovenia now.

Here we are then. With Spain beating Albania 1-0 and Italy snatching an incredible late draw from Croatia, it’s those two guaranteed a last 16 spot.

Albania finish bottom with a solitary point.

So Spain coast through despite the odd spark from Albania, whose Euro 2024 is over. Here’s how the full-time numbers looked…

FT: Albania 0-1 Spain

• Possession: 41% — 59%
• Shots: 10 — 16
• On target: 4 — 3
• XG: 0.49 — 1.37
• Big chances: 0 — 1
• Blocked shots: 3 — 4
• Duels won: 50 — 43
• Dispossessed: 8 — 5

Albania took more chances and more shots, although the quality and xG figures didn’t shift as much. In the end, Spain were able to keep them at arms’ length.

Maybe in an easier group, Albania would have snuck through — but in reality, it wasn’t meant to be.

Spain (with France) are the only two teams not to concede a goal yet at these Euros.

That’s particularly impressive for Spain given they have basically built a new back four for the tournament.

All eight of the defenders have had match time, and they have generally looked a cohesive unit. Raya made some decent saves tonight, but none he would not have expected.

Another big plus for De la Fuente.

The Albanian players are lining up in front of their fans, half looking like they were apologising.

But the fans don’t look like they need apologising to.

The players link arms and bounce up and down in a choreographed moment — they’re going home, but their participation has most certainly been worthwhile.

This one is over but there has been some late fun in Leizpig, with Mattia Zaccagni scoring an equaliser against Croatia in the EIGHTH minute of added time.

A stunning goal, and that keeps Italy second in Group B.

The full-time whistle soon follows and now Croatia have to wait to see if two points will get them through to the last 16.

I’m not sure about that.

You can follow all the reaction from Leipzig live with our own Max Mathews, right here.

Second half not so fluid from Spain, but De la Fuente won’t be too worried. Third-choice keeper Remiro is now the only one of the 26 squad members not to have played across the three games.

Seems like no fitness problems ahead of the last 16 either.

It’s all over for Albania. They finish winless but with plenty to build on.

A much-changed Spain do the business with relative easy and win all three of their group games.

Who’s going to stop them, I wonder…

90+2' Albania 0-1 Spain

Ah, Broja... Lovely ball in the box. It bounces around before Broja rolls the ball to take control, and then flicks a shot with the outside of his foot on target.

Raya does well to save.

Broja trying to go out with an impact here.

90+1' Albania 0-1 Spain

Four added minutes to come.

Four minutes of Albania’s Euro 2024 remain.

90' Albania 0-1 Spain

A young pitch invader runs on and leads the stewards a merry dance.

He sprinted onto the field at some pace but unlike the Turkey vs Portugal game the other day, he didn’t seem to be going for a selfie.

He eventually turned and ran towards the Albania bench, before he was apprehended.

89' Albania 0-1 Spain

Should Spain be worried they haven’t created more chances this half? They have been in control of the game, but haven’t created a clear and open sight of goal — which means Albania are still in the game with a few minutes left.

88' Albania 0-1 Spain

Into the final three minutes of normal time, plus whatever is added.

Albania still pushing forward. Can they find the quality to make it happen?

No, Asllani hits a free-kick delivery straight out of play.

85' Albania 0-1 Spain

Asllani does not deserve to be going home early. One of the outstanding players of the group stages for me.

Been one of the few Albania players who have kept looking to make things happen tonight. That is his third shot at goal, zero on target though...

83' Albania 0-1 Spain

Sensational touch from Yamal — but he then opts to pass rather than shoot, and he doesn’t find his man.

Back come Albania and substitute Arber Hoxha does so well to cut inside, but then lashes his shot horribly off target.

81' Albania 0-1 Spain

Yamal has already had a lovely couple of touches — managed to both body-feint and roll the sole of his foot over the ball in one swoop to create an opportunity for a cut-back.

79' Albania 0-1 Spain

This game is stretching now, which means Spain are getting chances too.

Morata with a lovely flick. Olmo then fires on goal before it is deflected wide.

77' Albania 0-1 Spain

Oh my, that is brilliant for Asllani. He takes his time before working the best shooting angle — and his effort flies about a foot wide of the far post.

Fair play to Albania. They’re still pushing.