Final result: Croatia-Albania 2-2
CROATIA (Edited by Paolo Lora Lamia)
Livakovic 6.5 – If Croatia are still in the game at half-time, they owe it to their gloves who responded on the occasions that occurred to Asllani and Manaj. Saves that have an even more important weight, given the near-comeback implemented in the second half.
Juranovic 6 – It should guarantee push in the right lane, but fails in this aim by not creating too much apprehension on that side. At least in the first part of the race, because then in the second he grows in this sense.
Sutalo 5.5 – One of the few to save himself in the Croatian first half, with several advances that prevent the deficit from being heavier. He then remained at excellent levels, until the marked intervention on Mitaj’s cross which cost him the victory.
Gvardiol 6 – He has a lot of work to do, but he is ready on most occasions ahead of Livakovic. In the second half he gets involved in the second goal.
Perisic 6 – Just like Juranovic, he doesn’t excel at accompanying the offensive action. A couple of crosses in the middle and little else for the former Inter player who, however, gives his best after the break. From 84′ Sosa sv.
Modric 5.5 – The number 10 is the draft of the star who has shone for years on every pitch. He struggles to activate the maneuver and also loses a few too many balls.
Brozovic 5 – On Laci’s goal, the Albanian number 14 is lost and he then scores with a header. Slightly better when he shows up forward, creating the best scoring opportunity of the first half of the game. From 46′ Sucic 6.5 – Good impact on the match, propitiating the 2-1 with the shot rejected first by Djimsiti and then by Gjasula.
Kovacic 6.5 – One of the elements that reignited Croatia the most during the second half. Initiates the action that leads to Kramaric’s equalizer.
Majer 5 – You can see little in the last meters, in the final phase as well as in the last passage. His race, not surprisingly, only lasts a while. From 46′ Pasalic 6.5 – The Atalanta player is clearly preferred over the teammate he takes over. With him on the field, much more effective presence in the offensive zone.
Petkovic 5 – Dalic still gives him confidence after the missed penalty against Spain, not receiving the test he was hoping for in return. He doesn’t improve even at the beginning of the second half, when all of Croatia is improving. From 69′ Budimir 7 – Dalic couldn’t have asked for a better entrance, given that the former Crotone player was decisive in both goals.
Kramaric 7 – He puts in more determination than his attacking companions, especially turning himself on just before half-time. He confirmed himself as one of the best in the second half of the game, with the goal bringing the score back to parity. From 84′ Baturina sv.
Zlatko Dalic 6 – Maybe he gets the starting lineup wrong, but then he gets the changes right. He was about to commit the perfect crime, but Gjasula scored the equalizing goal in a mockery.
ALBANIA (Edited by Paolo Lora Lamia)
Strakosha 6 – The first part of the race was quiet, with only a couple of rejections. He definitely has more to do over the course of the second forty-five minutes.
Hysaj 5 – He noticeably drops in effectiveness over the course of the match. Negative protagonist in both goals scored by Croatia.
Djimsiti 6 – Tough performance for the Atalanta player, who forms an extremely solid pair with Ajeti. More suffering in the second half.
Ajeti 6.5 – Literally a wall. When a dangerous ball arrives in the area, he rarely gets the worst of it even when Dalic’s team grows.
Mitaj 6.5 – Game of great attention for the left back, who thinks more than anything else about countering Majer and Juranovic when they push on his side. In the final, however, he shows up forward and puts his foot in the action to make it 2-2.
Asllani 6 – He does everything in the key area of the pitch, creating play but also destroying that of others. In the first half, that is when he makes himself the favorite, he almost scores the 2-0 and is hypnotized by Livakovic.
Ramadan 6.5 – Perfect dam in the middle of the pitch, where it stops more than one Croatian initiative in its tracks. From 85′ Hoxha sv.
Laci 7 – Deployed from the first minute, he immediately repaid his coach’s trust. He scored the opening goal, with a header from Asani’s cross. From 72′ Gjasula 6.5 – Final match like a movie, with first the own goal that risks causing a new defeat and then with the last minute goal to make it 2-2.
Asani 6.5 – Among the best in Sylvinho’s team. Several interesting crosses come from his feet, including the one that leads to Laci’s goal. From 64′ Seferi 5.5 – Not a great impact on the match, given that the possible 2-0 failed, giving rise to Croatia’s partial comeback.
Manaj 6.5 – A lot of dirty work for the former Spezia player, who often frees up his teammates or midfielders who show up forward with intelligent blocks. He also came close to doubling his lead just before half-time. From 85′ Daku sv.
Bajrami 6 – The Sassuolo attacking midfielder acts on the left front of the attack, being very involved in the maneuver especially in the early stages of the game. He drops in the second half.
Sylvinho 6.5 – His Albania never gives up. Similar script to that of the match against Italy, but this time he scores the goal in the final which gives an unexpected and overall deserved draw.