Italy vs Albania LIVE! Euro 2024 match stream, latest score and goal updates today
Italy begin the defence of their European crown as they take on Albania in their Euro 2024 opener. Three years on from beating England on penalties in the final at Wembley, the Azzurri are going under the radar in Germany, with their hopes of another deep run not helped by being drawn in the ‘Group of Death’ with Spain and Croatia.
Roberto Mancini’s departure last year means it is now former Napoli boss Luciano Spalletti leading his country, and it has been a mixed bag since he took charge. Qualification for this tournament was secured via their head-to-head record against Ukraine after a nervy goalless draw in their final match, and pre-tournament friendlies against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Turkey did little to raise expectations.
Albania are competing in the Euros for the just the second time, having been knocked out in the group stage in 2016. They finished top of their qualifying group, ahead of the Czech Republic and Poland, and conceded just four goals in eight matches, a clear indication of what their approach will be this summer. Follow all the action with Standard Sport’s LIVE blog below!
Italy vs Albania latest news
GOAL! Barella puts Italy ahead
GOAL! Bastoni levels things up for Italy
GOAL! Bajrami slams Albania ahead after 24 seconds
Kick-off
How to watch: BBC One
FT: Italy 2-1 Albania
21:55 , Dom Smith
A winning start by Italy, then, as Mitaj misses the target for Albani.
The scoreline makes the match look close, but the Italians were in complete control throughout and deserve all three points.
Albania are the weakest team in a group containing Croatia and Spain. Those two and Italy know the importance of claiming all three points against Albania. Italy have done, courtesy of goals from Bastoni and Barella early in the first half.
Italy 2-1 Albania | 90+3'
21:52 , Dom Smith
Verona’s Michael Folorunsho, the midfielder, replaces likely match-winner Barella for only his second cap.
Italy 2-1 Albania | 90+1'
21:51 , Dom Smith
We’re into four minutes of stoppage time...
Italy 2-1 Albania | 87'
21:47 , Dom Smith
Positive run from Hoxha, who turns Di Lorenzo beautifully and then darts down the pitch for Albania with the ball at his feet. Good moment.
Besiktas’s Muci replaces goalscorer and history-maker Bajrami, scorer of the Euros’ fastest-ever goal.
Italy 2-1 Albania | 85'
21:44 , Dom Smith
Jorginho plays Frattesi in, but the Juventus man can’t find his man when crossing.
Soon enough, though, the ball is right back in Italy’s possession. They’ve starved Albania of the ball tonight.
Italy 2-1 Albania | 83'
21:43 , Dom Smith
Mateo Retegui comes on up front for Scamacca as Spalletti makes another change.
Ex-Manchester United left-back Darmian replaces Dimarco too.
Italy 2-1 Albania | 79'
21:40 , Dom Smith
A smattering of boos from the otherwise lively Albania fans as their team fail to close down Italy.
The Italians enjoy two or three minutes of constant possession before Dimarco takes a run down the left and shoots on goal.
Strakosha blocks and gathers at the second time of asking.
Italy 2-1 Albania | 77'
21:37 , Dom Smith
Cambiaso and Cristante replace Chiesa and Pellegrini for Italy.
Pellegrini was excellent, and his cross after 11 minutes assisted Bastoni’s all-important equaliser.
Italy 2-1 Albania | 76'
21:36 , Dom Smith
Broja is replaced by striker Rey Manaj, formerly of Watford and... Barcelona!
Italy 2-1 Albania | 75'
21:35 , Dom Smith
Hoxha gets a yellow for shoving his elbow into Frattesi’s back, off the ball.
Italy’s deliveries into the box just a little imprecise at the moment.
Italy 2-1 Albania | 70'
21:29 , Dom Smith
Asllani receives the ball from the corner but catches it all wrong and it bobbles off target for a goal kick.
Italy 2-1 Albania | 69'
21:29 , Dom Smith
Subs for Albania, who were starting to look tired.
Laci and Hoxha replace Seferi and Asani.
Albania then win themselves a corner.
Italy 2-1 Albania | 67'
21:27 , Dom Smith
Pellegrini whips the ball into the box. Similar to the Bastoni goal assist but from the other side. This time it reaches Di Lorenzo but his header is blocked.
Italy 2-1 Albania | 64'
21:24 , Dom Smith
Italy’s centre-backs playing on the half-way line at the moment, such as the dominance being shown by Spalletti’s side.
Chiesa and Frattesi really starting to come into their own now.
Italy 2-1 Albania | 61'
21:20 , Dom Smith
Difficult evening for Armando Broja of Chelsea so far. The striker has been so isolated up front for Albania, and been given precious little service.
Chiesa cuts in and so nearly curls Italy 3-1 up but the ball whips beyond the post.
Italy 2-1 Albania | 57'
21:17 , Dom Smith
67 per cent of possession for Italy so far. They still lead through Nicolo Barella’s 16th-minute strike.
Italy 2-1 Albania | 56'
21:16 , Dom Smith
Jermaine Jenas making the point on BBC commentary that Albania are producing rather half-hearted pressing, and he’s right.
Sylvinho’s side must decide whether to press or not to, but at the moment their pressing is disjointed and not disfnctional.
Italy 2-1 Albania | 52'
21:12 , Dom Smith
Calafiori is booked for holding back Broja needlessly. There’s then a check for a potential red card, but it stays a yellow.
Broja also into the book as Asllani strikes the following free-kick straight at the wall.
Italy 2-1 Albania | 49'
21:09 , Dom Smith
Scamacca fires from range but it’s blocked by an Albanian body.
Italy have picked up where they left off. Chiesa beginning to see more of the ball.
Back under-way
21:05 , Dom Smith
The second half begins in Dortmund!
Nicolo Barella joins a small group
21:02 , Dom Smith
Barella is the fourth Italian to score in multiple Euros tournaments. Here are the Italians to have found the net at two editions:
Leonardo Bonucci (2016, 2020)Antonio Cassano (2004, 2012)Andrea Pirlo (2008, 2012)Nicolò Barella (2020, 2024)
Half-time
20:49 , Dom Smith
At the half-way stage, it’s Italy who have a slender advantage.
But it all started nightmarishly for them when Dimarco’s error allowed Bajrami in to score a shock goal for Albania after just 23 seconds.
Bastoni and Barella have since turned the scoreline around, but this match remains very much in the balance — at least in the score-line. Italy have dominated proceedings in every other regard.
Italy 2-1 Albania | 45+1'
20:47 , Dom Smith
There will be three minutes of added time at the end of the first period.
Italy looking to close it out before the break now.
Italy 2-1 Albania | 44'
20:46 , Dom Smith
Bastoni commits a needless, grappling foul on Seferi, but Albania hoist the free-kick in and it comes to nothing.
The world’s 66th-ranked side come back again, though, and Asani cuts in onto his left and fires just over.
Italy 2-1 Albania | 40'
20:41 , Dom Smith
Scamacca slipped through and his first-time volley is straight at Strakosha. Credit to the goalkeeper though, who stayed big and blocked.
Italy 2-1 Albania | 39'
20:40 , Dom Smith
Albania really struggling to steal the ball from the Italians, whose control is just as you’d imagine it if Andrea Pirlo were still strutting his stuff in midfield.
Dimarco has recovered well from his first-minute calamity and is now looking his usual threat down the left.
Italy 2-1 Albania | 35'
20:36 , Dom Smith
Lovely chance for Italy and so nearly a third goal.
Scamacca’s pass through to Frattesi is a gorgeous one. Frattesi tries to dink over Brentford goalkeeper Strakosha, but the keeper makes an excellent save.
Italy 2-1 Albania | 32'
20:33 , Dom Smith
What a goal it was from Nicolo Barella to put Italy ahead after 16 minutes. He enjoyed it, too.
Italy 2-1 Albania | 30'
20:31 , Dom Smith
Plenty of applause for Di Lorenzo among Italian fans as he blocks Mitaj’s clearance.
Italy definitely in the ascendency now. Albania have reverted to a low block.
Italy 2-1 Albania | 25'
20:26 , Dom Smith
The match has started to slow in tempo now, and about time!
It was a bonkers start here at the Signal Iduna Park. Feels a long time ago now, though, that Albania flew into a 23rd-second lead through Bajrami.
Italy dictating play now and dominating possession.
Italy 2-1 Albania | 22'
20:23 , Dom Smith
First booking of the evening as Pellegrini cynically takes down Chelsea’s Broja as Albania seek to break away.
Italy 2-1 Albania | 21'
20:22 , Dom Smith
Barella was a doubt before this game, and his importance has been demonstrated in the first 20 minutes here.
Not only through his wonderful goal but also his measured presence in midfield.
GOOOOAAAAAALLLL: Italy ahead through Barella
20:19 , Dom Smith
Dimarco flies down the left flanks and crosses well but an Albanian defender is there to clear before it lands at the feet of Scamacca.
But Italy come back and Barella hits a beautiful snap half-volley into the corner of the net. They deserve the lead now. He was a doubt before this game. 2-1 Italy.
GOOOOOAAAAALLLL: Italy level
20:13 , Dom Smith
11’ Italy 1-1 Albania: It’s Bastoni for Italy, who benefits from a lovely clipped ball into the box by Pellegrini to head into the net.
Italy back level.
Italy 0-1 Albania
20:10 , Dom Smith
9’ A succession of corners for Albania come to nothing.
Spalletti’s Italy have no foothold on this match yet. It’s been a barmy start in Dortmund.
Italy 0-1 Albania
20:08 , Dom Smith
7’ That was the quickest goal in Euros history, scored after just 24 seconds. Amazing.
Albania have settled, too. A rough start for Italy.
GOOOAAAALLLLL ALBANIA
20:03 , Dom Smith
Unbelievable! Bajrami capitalises on a defensive error and slams past Donnarumma after just 24 seconds!
Dimarco with the error. Albania ahead!
KICK-OFF
20:01 , Dom Smith
Underway, then, as Italy and Albania face off in Group B!
Kick-off fast approaching!
19:52 , Dom Smith
Just over five minutes now until we’re underway at Signal Iduna Park!
Gianluca Scamacca picked up front
19:43 , Dom Smith
Former West Ham striker Scamacca is the form guy up front and starts as Italy’s lone striker tonight. He’ll be desperate to get up and running in the tournament with a goal against unfancied Albania.
He scored 12 goals in his final 18 appearances for Atalanta at the back-end of last season.
Italy's struggles in recent years
19:42 , Dom Smith
Buffon’s warning is as may be, but Italy have failed to reach both of the last two World Cups, missing Russia 2018 as well as Qatar 2022.
They came behind England in their qualifying group ahead of this tournament, with Euros-winning coach Roberto Mancini resigning so he could take the Saudi Arabia job.
Luciano Spalletti has come in and steadied the ship. He manages Italy in a major tournament match for the first time tonight.
Italy's head of delegation, Gianluigi Buffon, fires a warning to Europe
19:33 , Dom Smith
Gianluigi Buffon believes defending champions Italy are being underestimated ahead of Euro 2024.The Italians won Euro 2020 by beating England on penalties in the final at Wembley.They head into their title defence unbeaten in six matches since October’s 3-1 defeat to England which confirmed the Three Lions would finish above them in qualifying.
But ahead of their opener against Albania in Dortmund tomorrow, Italy’s head of delegation, Buffon, said: “I believe this national team is underestimated. There are four, five or six players I would say are world class.”Ex-goalkeeper Buffon played 176 times for Italy, winning the 2006 World Cup.
The 46-year-old added: “It’s a competitive squad, especially for the strength of character of all the players. This is what surprised me the most and what made me the happiest, seeing their sense of belonging to our nation and the Italy shirt.“We have a great group, but we also have some great players that can help us have a good tournament.”
Italy's unbeaten run
19:23 , Dom Smith
The Italians arrive in Dortmund tonight in decent form, having gone unbeaten in their last six matches since a 3-1 defeat to England in October 2023 that confirmed the Three Lions would finish ahead of them in qualifying.
Italy still reached Euro 2024, though, and the defending champions are favourites to beat Albania tonight.
Albania are competing in only their second-ever European Championship, following a group-stage exit at France 2016.
Albania starting line-up
19:01 , Dom Smith
Albania XI (4-3-3): Strakosha; Hysaj, Djimsiti, Ajeti, Mitaj; Asllani, Ramadani, Bajrami; Asani, Broja, Seferi
Subs: Berisha, Kastrati, Balliu, Manaj, Gjasula, Mihaj, Laci, Berisha, Muci, Ismajli, Daku, Abrashi, Kumbula, Aliji, Hoxha
Italy starting lineup
18:56 , Dom Smith
Italy XI (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Bastoni, Calafiori, Dimarco; Jorginho, Barella; Frattesi, Pellegrini, Chiesa; Scamacca
Subs: Vicario, Meret, Buongiorno, Gatti, Raspadori, Darmian, Bellanova, Cristante, Mancini, Retegui, Zaccagni, Fagioli, El Shaarawy, Cambiaso, Folorunsho
Starting line-ups will be here shortly!
18:43 , Dom Smith
We’re just moments away now from discovering who will start the match for Italy and Albania as both sides begin their Euro 2024 campaigns.
Starting XIs on the way!
Italy vs Albania latest odds
18:33 , Dom Smith
Italy to win: 1/3
Draw: 16/5
Albania to win: 17/2
Odds via Betfair and subject to change.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
18:23 , Dom Smith
The Italians have the upper hand when it comes to previous meetings, having won all four.
Italy wins: 4
Draws: 0
Albania wins: 0
Albania team news
18:18 , Dom Smith
Kristjan Asllani, who plies his trade in Italy with Inter Milan, is perhaps Albania’s standout player, though Chelsea’s Armando Broja – who could leave this summer – is also one to watch out for.
They have a clean bill of health ahead of taking on the Euro 2020 champions.
Italy team news
18:07 , Dom Smith
Sandro Tonali will miss the tournament after the Newcastle midfielder was banned for ten months in October following betting breaches.
Tottenham’s Destiny Udogie misses the tournament due to injury, joining the likes of Nicolo Zaniolo, Francesco Acerbi and Giorgio Scalvini on the treatment table.
Nicolo Fagioli is ruled out for just this game, while key midfield operator Nicolo Barella is a doubt.
Standard Sport's Italy vs Albania prediction
17:59 , Dom Smith
It might be doing Albania a disservice after such a strong qualification campaign but it would be a shock not to see the defending champions open with a victory.
Italy to win, 2-1.
Where to watch Italy vs Albania
17:53 , Dom Smith
TV channel: The game will be broadcast on BBC One. Coverage starts at 7.20pm.
Live stream: The BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website will both offer a free live stream service.
LIVE coverage: Follow all the action with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog!
Italy vs Albania live
17:47 , George Flood
Good evening and welcome to Standard Sport’s latest live coverage from the first full day of action at Euro 2024.
Group B continues tonight at Signal Iduna Park, home of Borussia Dortmund, where defending champions Italy will look to secure a crucial early win over potential dark horses Albania in the so-called ‘Group of Death’.
Kick-off is at 8pm BST, so stay tuned for all the latest team news, match build-up and live updates.
