ITALY VS ALBANIA LIVE: EURO 2024 LATEST SCORE AND GOAL UPDATES AS GIANLUCA SCAMACCA AND ARMANDO BROJA START

Italy vs Albania - Euro 2024 LIVE

• Group B’s second game KO at 8pm BST, as Italy face Albania in Dortmund
• Italy the reigning champions, Albania in their second-ever Euros appearance
• Spain cruise to 3-0 win over Croatia in Group B opener in Berlin
• Italy XI: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Calafiori, Bastoni, Dimarco; Jorginho, Barella; Chiesa, Frattesi, Pellegrini; Scamacca
• Albania XI: Strakosha; Hysaj, Ajeti, Djimsiti, Mitaj; Asllani, Ramadani, Bajrami; Asani, Broja, Seferi

Italy - Albania

Report: Lamine Yamal dazzles as face of new Spain to validate clever swap

A new Spain, in more ways than one. As Lamine Yamal, who was not even a year old when they won Euro 2008, became first the youngest footballer to play in a European Championships and then, before half-time, the youngest to set up a goal in one, Luis de la Fuente’s side made a break with the past.

With less possession and more potency, Spain looked a team trying to cast off the influence of their champion sides. They had 47 percent of the ball but scored three goals. After going out of successive World Cups in knockout games where they attempted over 1,000 passes each, but seemed to show precious little interest in scoring, this was Spain, but not as we knew them.

Nor, really, was it Croatia as we have come to know them: the great survivors, the tournament team whose powers of endurance have carried them deep into World Cups, were strangely supine. It was the Croatia of old, in that Luka Modric became the oldest player ever in a European Championships, in that they started with a midfield trio with 376 caps between them and the first substitute deployed was Ivan Perisic. The faces were familiar, but there was not the usual resilience.

Lamine Yamal dazzles as face of new Spain to validate clever swap

Euro 2024: Italy vs Albania

The teams are out of the tunnel and the national anthems are underway. Just over five minutes until kick-off in Dortmund.

Albania’s form

While many will be expecting a straightforward win for Italy tonight, Albania will put up a fight, backed by a fervent support.

They qualified top of their group, above the Czech Republic and Poland, and have several players who play in Serie A – such as Atalanta defender Djimsiti, Inter Milan midfielder Asslani and Sassuolo midfielder Nedim Bajrami – as well as on-loan Chelsea striker Armando Broja.

They have won two, lost two and drawn one of their last five games, including wins against Azerbaijan and Liechtenstein in warm-up games.

Head-to-head

Tonight will be the fifth time Italy and Albania have met on the international stage, including twice in the qualifying campaign for the 2018 World Cup. Italy have won all four previous meetings.

The first meeting came in a friendly in 2014, with the Italians winning 1-0. Italy won 2-0 at home and 1-0 away in the 2017 qualifying campaign, and won again in another friendly in 2022, with Grifo and Di Lorenzo (2) getting the goals in a 3-1 win.

Italy going for a joint-record number of Euros titles

Italy are among the world’s most successful national sides, with four World Cup wins to go with their two European Championship crowns.

The Azzurri beat England on penalties at Wembley three years ago to seal their second Euros win, with their previous success coming in 1968, when Italy beat Yugoslavia 2-0 in a final replay after the original match had finished 1-1 after extra time.

Spain and Germany both have a joint-record three Euros titles, so Spalletti’s side could equal that record with a win in 2024.

Italy squad beset by injuries

The holders’ squad has been one of the worst-hit by pre-tournament injuries, with several key players missing out.

Giorgio Scalvini suffered an ACL injury in the final minutes of the club’s last Serie A match on 2 June, while Inter Milan man Francesco Acerbi withdrew from Italy’s provisional squad due to a hernia injury.

Destiny Udogie was ruled out after surgery in April, while key midfielder Niccolo Barella has been fighting to get fit in time for the Azzurri’s opening game.

Euro 2024 injuries: Which players are out of this summer’s tournament?

Italy head into their trophy defence in mixed form

Italy finished second in their qualifying group for the tournament, six points behind England.

The Azzurri won four, drew two and lost two of their matches in qualifying, and were beaten both home and away by England.

More recently, the Italians beat Bosnia and Ecuador in two of their last three games, with a draw to Turkey sandwiched between.

In November, they finished their qualifying campaign with a 5-2 win against North Macedonia and a 0-0 draw with Ukraine.

How Italy’s reign of turmoil came full circle ahead of Euro 2024

The opening montages of Euro 2024 are certain to include some recent history. The chiselled Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini standing as Italy’s hard-faced defensive wall. The towering Gianluigi Donnarummadiving to save a penalty down low to his left. Roberto Mancini, in a crisp white shirt, draped in the Italian flag and holding the trophy on the Wembley pitch. Italy as European champions.

It may only be three years ago but so much has changed since beating England on penalties. Mancini is long gone and Bonucci and Chiellini have retired from celebrating blocks and last-ditch clearances. In Germany, Italy are playing under the shadow of history: of their triumph at the last Euros and their victory at the 2006 World Cup, the last major tournament to be held in the country. But Italy are not being talked about as potential winners. Rather, they are hardly being talked about at all.

Now, a fresh, inexperienced squad is what remains after the turmoil of Italy’s reign as European champions. Failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup spelled the end for Mancini. His departure to Saudi Arabia two weeks after stepping down from the Azzurri brought a messy end to a partnership that had brought all of a record 37-game unbeaten run, a famous night at Wembley and spectacular failure following the shock World Cup play-off defeat to North Macedonia.

How Italy’s reign of turmoil came full circle ahead of Euro 2024

Is Italy vs Albania on TV tonight? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch Euro 2024 fixture

A reminder of how you can watch today’s final game as holders Italy take on Albania.

Kick-off is at 8pm BST at the BVB Stadion Dortmund, home of Borussia Dortmund. The match will be shown on BBC One, and can be streamed via the iPlayer and BBC Sport website (both free with a subscription). Coverage starts at 7.20pm. You can find a full list of which channel is showing each match here.

If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help and includes deals on VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.

Find out everything you need to know below.

Is Italy vs Albania on TV tonight? Time, channel and how to watch

FT: Spain 3-0 Croatia

Holders Italy are up next for Spain, with that game kicking off at 8pm BST on Thursday, 20 June.

For Croatia, next up is a crucial game against Albania. They desperately need three points on Wednesday, 19 June – that game kicks off at 2pm in Hamburg.

Spain vs Croatia player ratings

Spain got up and running at Euro 2024 with a straightforward win over Croatia, beating their Group B opponents 3-0 on Saturday.

Captain Alvaro Morata opened the scoring for Luis de la Fuente’s side in Berlin, following a fine Fabian Ruiz assist, and it was Ruiz who doubled the lead with an impressive solo goal.

The standout moment, however, might have come from Lamine Yamal, when the 16-year-old assisted Dani Carvajal with a brilliant cross for 3-0.

Croatia thought they had pulled one back in the second half, when substitute Bruno Petkovic won a penalty, hit the spot, and scored in the aftermath, but the goal was ruled out for encroachment.

Spain vs Croatia ratings: Teenager Lamine Yamal shows glimpses of bright future

Italy vs Albania official line-ups

Italy XI: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Calafiori, Bastoni, Dimarco; Jorginho, Barella; Chiesa, Frattesi, Pellegrini; Scamacca

Albania XI: Strakosha; Hysaj, Ajeti, Djimsiti, Mitaj; Asllani, Ramadani, Bajrami; Asani, Broja, Seferi

FULL-TIME: Spain 3-0 Croatia

95 mins

Carvajal is fouled near his own box and that should be that.

The referee blows the whistle and Spain wrap up what was, in the end, a fairly comfortable three points.

Euro 2024: Spain 3-0 Croatia

90 mins

Almost excellent from Torres to bring it down on the right, but he handled it in the process.

There’ll be five added minutes in Berlin.

Euro 2024: Spain 3-0 Croatia

84 mins

Croatia have probably deserved at least one goal tonight, but it’s not to be so far.

Petkovic spreads it wide to Perisic, whose cross is blocked. The latter collects it soon after and hits it from range, but Simon collects after briefly spilling it. Desperate, really.

Rodri, who was booked when conceding the panelty, is down now, and Spain are preparing more subs. Martin Zubimendi replaces the Man City midfielder, while Ferran Torres comes on for Yamal.

DISALLOWED GOAL! Spain 3-0 Croatia

81mins

NO GOAL!

Petkovic steps up and fires it low, but Simon saves! Nevertheless, his rebound bounces out to Perisic, who squares it back to Petkovic for the tap-in.

There’s a brief VAR check for encroachment before the penalty was taken, and the goal decision is reversed! No goal.

PENALTY! Spain 3-0 Croatia

78 mins

PENALTY TO CROATIA!

Out of nowhere really, and it’s Simon’s fault. He dawdles on the ball and the deflection off his clearance makes it fall to the feet of Petkovic. He dummies it to send Simon the wrong way, but is brought down by Rodri!

Euro 2024: Spain 3-0 Croatia

66 mins

Olmo tries to release Yamal but his pass is wayward.

Morata looks like he may be injured, and he wants the ball to be put out. Eventually he is replaced by Mikel Oyarzabal, while Mikel Merino comes on for Nico Williams.

Euro 2024: Spain 3-0 Croatia

64 mins

Almost brilliant from Yamal as he collects the ball near halfway and skips past a couple of challenges, but he’s forced wide and can’t make anything of it.

For Croatia, Modric and Kovacic come off for Mario Pasalic and Luka Sucic.

Euro 2024: Spain 3-0 Croatia

55 mins

CLOSE! How have Croatia not scored!?

Kovacic does brilliantly as he drives through midfield before laying it off to Gvardiol. His cross finds its way to Stanisic at the near post, but his shot is blocked on the line, as is the header on the rebound!

Euro 2024: Spain 3-0 Croatia

54 mins

Excellent again from Yamal as he fizzes a ball across the goal, but nobody in a red shirt can make a connection.

KICK-OFF! Spain 3-0 Croatia

KICK-OFF! Both teams are out of the tunnel ahead of the second half. Spain get us underway in the second half.

Remember that goal difference could be crucial for Croatia if they were to come third in the group.

HT: Spain 3-0 Croatia

A good half from Spain after a mixed start from both sides. A great goal from Fabian Ruiz was bookended by an accomplished finish from Morata and Dani Carvajal’s first ever international goal.

Croatia have a mountain to climb to get back into this, though there’s been some evidence that they have a route back in.

HALF-TIME: Spain 2-0 Croatia

Half-time came shortly after the goal, and what a half for Spain.

That should be three points in the bag for Luis de la Fuente’s side.

GOAL! Spain 2-0 Croatia

32 mins

GOAL!

And another great goal!

Yamal collects on the right and surges into the box. He squares it off to Fabian Ruiz, and the PSG man dances past two defenders before firing a low left-footed shot past Livakovic. There was a small deflection on the way through, but that won’t bother him.

GOAL!: Spain 1-0 Croatia

29 mins

GOAL! Something out of nothing on the counter for Spain.

Cucurella wins the ball and cushions it to Rodri. He lays it off to Ruiz, who has acres to play a through ball straight into the path of Morata. He’s clean through and he slots it easily low and past Livakovic.

Euro 2024: Spain 0-0 Croatia

FULL-TIME: Hungary 1-3 Switzerland

97 mins

FULL-TIME

Hungary are still trying to force a goal here, but this game is over.

The referee blows for full-time on 97 minutes, and it’s a brilliant start for the Swiss with a well-earned three points.

Spain v Croatia: Official line-ups

Spain XI: Unai Simón; Carvajal, Le Normand, Nacho, Cucurella; Fabián Ruiz, Rodri, Pedri; Lamine Yamal, Morata, Nico Williams

Croatia XI: Livakovic; Stanisic, Sutalo, Pongracic, Gvardiol; Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic; Majer, Kramaric; Budimir

GOAL! Hungary 1-3 Switzerland

93 mins

GOAL!! And Embolo has made sure of the win!

Sommer goes long and Bolla heads it into no man’s land. It runs straight into the path of Embolo, who brings it down brilliantly with his chest and calmly lifts it over the onrushing Gulacsi and into the net.

Euro 2024: Hungary 1-2 Switzerland

GOAL: Hungary 1-2 Switzerland

66 mins

GOAL!

So much better from Hungary. Sallai picks it up again on the left and slides it across to Szoboszlai. He clips in a lovely ball to the far post and Varga manages to escape his marker and head it past Sommer! Game on.

Euro 2024: Hungary 0-2 Switzerland

45 mins

GOAL! That is a stunner from Aebischer!

Aebischer curled that beautifully, wrapping it inside the post, with the shot finding the bottom right corner. Magic!

Euro 2024: Hungary 0-1 Switzerland

41 mins

What a chance! Hungary should be level, a curling cross from the left and Orban wriggles free.

He doesn’t adjust his body in time and then reaches low with his neck to head towards goal. No power or direction added from the delivery and that’s easy for Sommer.

Euro 2024: Hungary 0-1 Switzerland

20 mins

Vargas should have another for Switzerland, what a miss!

It was a dreadful ball from Kerkez to send Vargas through on goal, but Peter Gulacsi makes a fine save after Vargas outmuscled Szalai.

A huge let-off for Hungary, who need to wake up.

Euro 2024: Hungary 0-1 Switzerland

14 mins

GOAL! It’s onside after a quick VAR check, Duah has his debut goal for Switzerland!

Aebischer with the vision, Duah with speed in behind, then the calm finish, it was a lovely move.

And what about the technology, a quick check and the decision reversed within a minute or so, much better.

Euro 2024: Hungary 0-0 Switzerland

10 mins

What a chance! Sallai had time and space, but he blasts over!

It was fine work down the right from Fiola, excellent start from Hungary: fast, aggressive and sprinkling in quality at times.

Now Switzerland able to settle, passing it from side to side at the back, Xhaka dropping in to dictate.

Hungary vs Switzerland: Starting line-ups

Switzerland XI: Sommer; Schär, Akanji, Rodríguez; Widmer, Freuler, Xhaka, Ndoye; Duah, Aebischer, Vargas

Hungary XI: Gulácsi; Lang, Orbán, Szalai; Fiola, Ádám Nagy, Schäfer, Kerkez; Sallai, Szoboszlai; Varga

Italy v Albania predicted line-ups and team news

Team news

Sandro Tonali is out after the Newcastle midfielder picked up a 10-month ban in October following betting breaches. While Tottenham’s Destiny Udogie is out through injury, as are Nicolo Zaniolo, Francesco Acerbi and Giorgio Scalvini.

Nicolo Barella and Nicolo Fagioli are doubts, although they have returned to full training, so if they do pull through, they could challenge Bryan Cristante for a start.

Sokol Cikallesh missed out on Sylvinho’s squad. While Chelsea’s Armando Broja is likely to lead the line and Inter Milan’s Kristjan Asllani will offer quality.

Predicted lineups

Italy XI: Donnarumma; Darmian, Buongiorno, Bastoni; Di Lorenzo, Cristante, Jorginho, Dimarco; Chiesa, Frattesi; Scamacca

Albania XI: Strakosha; Hysaj, Kumbulla, Djimsiti, Mitaj; Bajrami, Asllani, Ramadani; Asani, Broja, Hoxha

Spain vs Croatia predicted line-ups and team news

Team news

Spain could make history should Lamine Yamal take to the field. If he does so, the Barcelona starlet will be the youngest player to appear at the tournament at 16 years and 338 days old. David Raya is likely to be on the bench, with Unai Simon more likely to start in goal.

For Croatia, Ivan Perisic recovered from a serious anterior cruciate ligament injury to make his return in the final weeks of the season and is expected to be fully fit for the tournament.

Predicted line-ups:

Spain XI: Simon, Carvajal, Le Normand, Laporte, Grimaldo, Rodri, Olmo, Ruiz, Yamal, Morata, Williams

Croatia XI: Livakovic, Stanisic, Vida, Gvardiol, Sosa, Brozovic, Kovacic, Modric, Kramaric, Petkovic, Perisic