European champions Italy begin title defence with victory over Albania
Bajrami gave Albania shock lead after 23 seconds - fastest goal in Euros history
Spain beat Croatia 3-0 in other Group B game on Saturday
Italy 2-1 Albania
Thomas Strakosha has had a good game. The Albania keeper does ever so well to keep out Davide Frattesi but it wouldn't have counted anyway as the flag was up.
Image source, Getty ImagesItaly 2-1 Albania
Albania have yet to carve out any serious chances this half but they will be reasonably satisfied with this. They are very much in this with more than half an hour remaining.
Italy 2-1 Albania
Jermaine Jenas
Former England midfielder on BBC One
Image source, Getty ImagesRiccardo Calafiori was all over Armando Broja there, and he had just had enough, tried to shake him off and did look to throw an arm. He has to be careful with those.
But that is more of what we need to see from Broja, he needs to put himself about a bit more and get into the game, he is one of the best if not the best player Albania have. He needs to make more of an impact.
Italy 2-1 Albania
Poor free-kick. Straight into the wall. Now the game is stopped to allow Alessandro Bastoni treatment after being hit by the ball.
Italy 2-1 Albania
A coming together between Riccardo Calafiori and Armando Broja.
Both players are booked and Albania have a free-kick in a decent position about 25 yards out.
Italy 2-1 Albania
Nice thought but Gianluca Scamacca's threaded pass for Davide Frattesi inside the Albania penalty area is just about cut out.
Italy 2-1 Albania
Jermaine Jenas
Former England midfielder on BBC One
This is the moment for Albania to get up the pitch and try and press. At the moment it seems no one quite knows when to press or how to press.
Image source, Getty ImagesItaly 2-1 Albania
First impressions of the second half?
Italy continue to dominate the ball. Lots of neat, crisp passes from the Azzurri.
A headed clearance lands at the feet of Gianluca Scamacca but his attempt is blocked.
Italy 2-1 Albania
Micah Richards
Former Manchester City defender on BBC One
Italy have been on the front foot and so positive. All of the teams to have done well so far in the tournament have played on the front foot and that is why we are seeing so many goals so early on as well.
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I wonder what the odds are on Italy to win the tournament and Scamacca not to score a single goal. He looks woeful.
Alan in Birmingham
Image source, Getty ImagesItaly 2-1 Albania
Another fast start to the half?
The holders get the second half back under way.
HT: Italy 2-1 Albania
Chris Sutton predicted a 1-1 draw in this match in Dortmund.
Another prediction bites the dust.
He is backing France to win the tournament, believes England will lose to them in the semi-finals, and thinks Scotland will not get out of their group.
Thumbs up if you disagree.
By the way, you can read all of Chris Sutton's opening group game predictions here.
HT: Italy 2-1 Albania
We're already three games deep into Euro 2024. Has everyone remembered to update their wallchart?
What's that, you don't have one?
Don't worry. You can download yours here.
HT: Italy 2-1 Albania
Nicolo Barella puts Italy ahead
Nicolo Barella has scored his 10th goal for Italy with all nine of his previous goalscoring appearances ending in victory for his nation.
HT: Italy 2-1 Albania
Cesc Fabregas
Former Spain midfielder on BBC One
For me I think Albania scored too early. I think the early goal shocked them, in a good way of course, but then they defended too deep, too early and that allowed Italy to take control of the game and take the lead.
HT: Italy 2-1 Albania
Alessandro Bastoni equalizes for Italy
Italy's equaliser came from Alessandro Bastoni's second international goal on his 24th appearance for the Azzurri. Both goals have come on German soil.
HT: Italy 2-1 Albania
Alan Shearer
Former England captain on BBC One
It was a really interesting first half. Dream start for Albania but I was really impressed with the way that there was no panic from Italy.
They stuck to the game plan, believed in what they had prepared and what they are doing and got themselves back in it. They deserve to be ahead, they have been the better team.
HT: Italy 2-1 Albania
Nedim Bajrami scores early against Italy
Check out Nedim Bajrami's goal after 23 seconds - the fastest in European Championship history.
This was Albania's only attempt on target in the first half.
Italy 2-1 Albania
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty ImagesAlbania have scored the fastest goal in European Championship history but Italy have the lead.
Italy 2-1 Albania
Three minutes of additional time.
Italy break and Lorenzo Pellegrini, who has had an eventful first half, sends a header just wide.
The Azzurri look so dangerous on the counter.
Highlights: Holders Italy recover from early jolt to start with a win
Holders Italy battled back for a hard-earned opening victory after Albania scored the fastest goal in a European Championship match.
Nedim Bajrami made history after 23 seconds when he thrashed a strike into the top right corner after Federico Dimarco completely miscalculated at a throw-in, but Albania's jubilation in Dortmund was not long-lasting.
The underdogs sat back but failed to stymie the Italians. Alessandro Bastoni headed home Lorenzo Pellegrini's inswinging delivery after a clever short corner to level in the 11th minute, then Nicolo Barella smashed in from 20 yards to put Italy ahead five minutes later.
After that, Italy's dominance increased and they entered half-time having had 72.2% of possession, with 13 shots to Albania's four.
Italy continued to control the ball, but they did not have as much luck creating chances in the second half and were unable to extend their advantage.
Albania, though, were toothless and Italy strolled to their first victory of Euro 2024 without any real further concern.
Taking the early lead did little to help Albania's fortunes in the long run. They were expected to sit back and they did exactly that, but Luciano Spalletti's Italy clearly knew how to react.
Where Albania looked to crowd out Italy, their actions instead created pockets of space on the edge of the area for the Azzurri to exploit rather than attacking the congested box.
With Arsenal midfielder Jorginho and Juventus winger Federico Chiesa pulling the strings, the men in blue and white worked around Albania and carved out openings.
Italy could have scored more, but Albania goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha stopped their deficit increasing. He expertly pushed a Davide Frattesi dink against the post and denied Gianluca Scamacca from close range to keep the score at 2-1.
Albania improved and were able to prevent Italy hitting the back of the net again, but the pre-match underdogs could not find a way back to level terms.
Their best chance of an equaliser came and went as Gianluigi Donnarumma saved a late Rey Manaj effort.
Nicolo Barella is only the fourth Italy player to score at two European Championships
Italy were not immediately switched on; however, once they were, they were dominant.
Spalletti's men pressed energetically, overturning possession to create chances to possibly inflict further damage.
Winger Chiesa was particularly impressive, dribbling forward with ease despite the number of Albania shirts around the box.
Italy were well drilled and passed intelligently to try to pull Albania's defence out of shape, although striker Scamacca did little to impress in the box when the ball was worked his way.
Their attacking intent ultimately fizzled out, but victory never looked in much doubt.
Italy are a team in transition, with a new manager and a markedly different squad from Roberto Mancini's group who beat England on penalties in the final of the last Euros.
Difficult group games against Croatia and Spain remain as they look to step up their trophy defence, but Saturday's victory - setting aside that dreadful early blip - was a strong showing to kick off their campaign.
Nedim Bajrami rattled Italy briefly with Albania's first-minute opener
Albania had only scored one major tournament goal before Saturday, but Bajrami's was a special one to provide their second.
It broke a record which has stood for 20 years, beating the 67 seconds it took Dmitri Kirichenko to score for Russia against Greece in Euro 2004.
Sylvinho's side are in a tough group and progressing to a first knockout stage looks unlikely.
Whether or not they find a path out of the group, this year's tournament will hold a special place in Albanian fans' hearts for years to come, and Bajrami's record will take some beating.
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 3 |
| |
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| |
| 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 0 |
| |
| 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 | -4 | 0 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| |
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| |
| 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
| |
| 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 0 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| |
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| |
| 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| |
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| |
| 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| |
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| |
| 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| |
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| |
| 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
Manager: Luciano Spalletti
Formation: 4 - 3 - 3
Manager: Sylvinho
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Luciano Spalletti
Formation: 4 - 3 - 3
Manager: Sylvinho
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
UEFA European Championship
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This will be Italy and Albania’s first encounter at a major tournament. Italy have won all four of their previous meetings with Albania (7 goals for, 1 against), which have all taken place since 2014.
This is Italy’s 11th appearance in the UEFA European Championship – only Germany and Spain have won the tournament on more occasions than the Squadra Azzura (2, in 1968 and 2020).
Italy will attempt to become just the second team to win back-to-back UEFA EURO tournaments after Spain (2008, 2012).
Italy have never conceded more than one goal in a match across their last two UEFA EURO participations, in 2016 and 2020: that’s a total of six goals conceded across their last 12 matches in the competition.
Italy’s 45 matches at the UEFA EURO have produced 1.84 goals on average (52 for, 31 against), that’s the lowest ratio amongst any of the 25 teams to have taken part in 10+ matches in the competition.
This is Albania’s second appearance at a major international tournament, FIFA World Cup and UEFA EURO combined. At EURO 2016, they were eliminated in the group stages, finishing third behind France and Switzerland.
Albania’s sole victory so far at the UEFA EURO came against Romania in the final group match of the 2016 edition (1-0 with a goal from Armando Sadiku).
After losing their first UEFA EURO 2024 qualifier against Poland, Albania didn’t lose any of their next seven (W4 D3). For the first time in their history, Albania finished top of their qualifying group for a major international tournament (WC + EURO).
Nicolò Barella registered more assists than any other Italian player during UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying (3) and created seven more chances than any other member of the Squadra Azzura (15). Barella also assisted two goals during Italy’s victorious EURO 2020 finals tournament.
Sylvinho is the second head coach to lead Albania to a major international tournament after Gianni De Biasi took them to EURO 2016. He’ll be the first Brazilian head coach to lead a side at a UEFA EURO since Luiz Felipe Scolari with Portugal in 2008.
