UEFA Euro 2024: Croatia's Path to Qualifying for Knockout Rounds

On Wednesday at the Volksparkstadion Hamburg, in Group B of the UEFA Euro 2024 competition, Albania defeated Croatia 2-2 with a goal in stoppage time. After meeting a wonderful cross from Jasir Asani, Qazim Laci nodded in the ball inside close range to give Albania the lead in the eleventh minute.

Dominik Livaković, the Croatian keeper, kept his team in the match during the 31st minute when Asani got in on goal. Livakovic produced another excellent save in the last moments of the opening half, this time stopping Rey Manaj's header from close range.

At the hour mark, Josip Sutalo's header narrowly missed the left post, giving Croatia, who had only won one of their ten prior Euro games when down goal to goal, a chance to equalise. Zlatko Dalić's replacements proved to be effective as Andrej Kamaric was set up inside the box by substitute Ante Budimir, who then touched the ball and fired it towards the back of the goal.

After two minutes, a goal by Luka Sucic that deflected off two defenders and into the net gave Croatia the lead, thanks to an assist from Albanian substitute Klaus Gjasula. Five minutes into stoppage time, Mario Mitaj's pass towards the bottom left corner was converted by Gjasula to give his team a well-earned point.

How can Croatia qualify for knockout rounds? 

With this draw, Croatia’s qualification chances are hanging by a thread. There is a small chance that they can finish in the top two unless a miracle happens. The maximum number of points they can finish with is four, provided they can scalp a win against the defending champions, Italy. That itself looks like a gigantic task since they do not seem in the best of forms off late.

However, if they get a draw they will be knocked out of the tournament since two points will be very less to qualify in the best third placed teams  from the six groups. Luka Modric and his players will need to pull something miraculous to have any chance of making it to the knockout stages.