Defending champions Italy got their Euro 2024 campaign off to a flying start by beating Albania 2-1 in Dortmund.
Before Luciano Spalletti's could even hold the game, they scored 1-0.
Albania went up 1-0 in 23 seconds, a new record that broke the previous fastest goal at the European Championships.
Nedim Bajrami was on hand to fire a close-range effort past Italy captain Gianluigi Donnarumma and stunned almost everyone in the stadium, including the 50,000 Albanian fans.
The game plan of the juniors played well and they had many attacking opportunities in the first 15 minutes of the game.
However, the Azzurri found a way back into the game before the nerves started to build.
A short corner was taken before being delivered into the box towards the unmarked Alessandro Bastoni.
A brave fight from Albania, but the defending champions start with a win 💪#ITAALB #BBEuros #Euro2024 pic.twitter.com/pFJ0KADXY9
-BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 15, 2024
The defender had acres of space and fired home to pull Italy level and settle his teammates.
After five minutes the champions had turned the game on its head.
Albania struggled to get the ball out of their box with Italy piling on the pressure but eventually cleared their lines, or so they thought.
The ball fell to the feet of Nicolo Barella who scored a first-time header to create a roar from the traveling fans.
It would have been fine for Spalletti's side, but Albania were still furious after thinking VAR should have ruled out the goal.
But he held on and kept Italy in complete control of the game in Dortmund.
Despite the deficit now, Albania did not change their approach in the game and stayed deep.
🇮🇹 Italy start with a comeback win 👏#EURO2024 | #ITAALB pic.twitter.com/btuT9CYc7H
– UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) June 15, 2024
Italy were tasked with tying the forwards and trying to break them down, but things were starting to pick up as we neared the break.
Italy hit the post just before the break and although they would have liked to have scored twice, they will still be happy with their efforts.
Euro fever has swept the continent, but the second half of the game was difficult to watch.
There were very few chances for both teams, although Albania had a good chance from a free kick but there was a brave Italian body in the way.
Although Albania's defense stood firm, there was little in the way of offensive attacks.
The reigning champions looked comfortable and it never looked like an equalizer was coming.
However, there was a big opportunity in the last minutes that was blocked by Donnarumma, who can raise his hand by playing a big role in picking up three points.
The win was important for Italy as they head into two tough group games.
What's next?
There is still a lot of football to be played in Group B and it is important that you go down, you should not make or break your competition.
Italy will next face Spain on June 20, where a win could see them through to the knockout stages.
Their last game will be against Croatia on June 24.
In Albania, things are not easy.
The first is Croatia on June 19 before Spain on June 24.
Unfortunately for Albania, they may need a win somewhere to progress to the knockouts.
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