As the Euro 2024 enters the final round of group-stage matches, teams are eager to book their places in the knockout stage. In Group B, there is still all to play for with Croatia taking on Italy and Albania facing Spain on Monday.
Albania vs Spain – Group B
High-flying Spain have won both their group games so far and have already qualified for the Round of 16 stage of the Euro 2024. They will play their next match against Albania in Dusseldorf on Monday. This match will come as a chance for Luis de la Fuente to rest some of his key players ahead of the knockout stages.
Albania on the other hand have all to play for in their last group match as they are placed third with only one point from two matches. A win against La Roja will guarantee them a knockout berth but they will expect no favours from Spain who would look to continue their momentum for the knockout round.
Spain will come into the game as favorites to win but knowing Albania’s toughness and never-say-die attitude, the game promises to be nothing less than a spectacle.
The two sides have met 8 times previously with Spain winning all 8 matches with an aggregate score of 15-2.
Croatia vs Italy – Group B
Italy suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Spain in their last match. A point for Azzurri against Croatia would be enough to book their ticket into the knockout stage. However, a defeat against Croatia and Albania’s win over Spain would knock the defending champions out of the group stage.
Zlatko Dalic’s Croatia are on the brink of elimination and only a win against Azzurri would keep them in contention for qualification.
Surprisingly, Croatia have proved to be a bogey team for Italy over the years. In the nine meetings between the two sides, Croatia have won 3 matches with Italy winning only once. The two teams last faced each other in the 2015 UEFA European Championship qualifiers where the match ended in a 1-1 draw.
Italy are the stronger team on paper. However, the stubborn Croatian side are no walkovers as they themselves are in the hunt for a Round of 16 spot. Luka Modric’s inspired team have made significant strides in the past few years. They famously reached the 2018 World Cup final and finished a respectable 3rd place in the 2022 World Cup.
Now they would look to transform their form into the Euros and a qualification into the knockout round is more than likely with a win over Azzurri.
Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
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