Spain 2-1 Albania: Dani Olmo strikes to deny Albania on night of late drama

Dani Olmo scored a stoppage-time winner for Spain as they snatched victory over Albania at RCDE Stadium.

Substitute Myrto Uzuni thought he had secured a draw for the visitors after a fortuitous goal with their only shot on target five minutes from time.

Ferran Torres opened the scoring for Spain after 75 minutes.

The hosts dominated possession and deserved victory on the balance of play.

Albania may not have created many clear-cut chances but they carried a threat on the counter-attack while defending resolutely.

Southampton striker Broja led the line superbly. With half-time looming, he beat Pau Torres to the byeline and flashed the ball across goal, but it narrowly evaded his team-mates in the middle.

Pablo Sarabia went close just before the whistle, and following the restart fired over after Rodri forced a corner as the hosts looked to gain control.

It took 75 minutes, but Spain found the breakthrough when Torres lifted the ball over Etrict Berisha, who had pulled off a save to deny him moments earlier.

Uzuni pounced on an error by Brentford's David Raya, making his debut for Spain, to restore parity only for Olmo to deny Albania victory in the end.

Line-ups
Match Stats
Live Text

Line-ups

Spain

Formation 4-3-3

13Raya
20CarvajalSubstituted forAzpilicuetaat 71'minutes
3García
4P Torres
17AlonsoSubstituted forAlbaat 64'minutes
9GaviSubstituted forSolerat 64'minutes
16Rodri
10Pedri
11F Torres
7MorataSubstituted forPinoat 72'minutes
22SarabiaSubstituted forOlmoat 64'minutes

Substitutes

1Sánchez
2Azpilicueta
5Soler
6Llorente
8Koke
12Guillamón
14Laporte
18Alba
19Pino
21Olmo
23Simón

Albania

Formation 5-3-2

1Berisha
2BalliuSubstituted forRoshiat 84'minutes
18Ismajli
15Kumbulla
6DjimsitiBooked at 44mins
4Hysaj
7Bare
8GjasulaSubstituted forRamadaniat 61'minutes
13LaçiSubstituted forAsllaniat 78'minutes
9BrojaSubstituted forManajat 84'minutes
16CikalleshiSubstituted forUzuniat 61'minutes

Substitutes

3Lenjani
5Hoxhallari
10Manaj
11Uzuni
12Kastrati
14Prenga
17Çekiçi
19Asllani
20Ramadani
21Roshi
22Vrioni
23Strakosha

Referee:: Trustin Farrugia Cann
Attendance:: 35,444

Match Stats

Home TeamSpainAway TeamAlbania

Possession: Home82%; Away18%

Shots: Home13; Away3

Shots on Target: Home7; Away1

Corners: Home3; Away2

Fouls: Home9; Away15

Live Text

Post update
Match ends, Spain 2, Albania 1.
90'+4'
Full Time
Second Half ends, Spain 2, Albania 1.

90'+2'
Post update
Offside, Albania. Berat Djimsiti tries a through ball, but Rey Manaj is caught offside.
90'
Goal!
Goal! Spain 2, Albania 1. Dani Olmo (Spain) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the top right corner. Assisted by Jordi Alba.
88'
Post update
Yeremi Pino (Spain) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
88'
Post update
Foul by Berat Djimsiti (Albania).
87'
Post update
Offside, Spain. Pau Torres tries a through ball, but Jordi Alba is caught offside.
87'
Post update
Carlos Soler (Spain) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
87'
Post update
Foul by Ylber Ramadani (Albania).
85'
Goal!
Goal! Spain 1, Albania 1. Myrto Uzuni (Albania) header from the right side of the box to the bottom right corner.
84'
Post update
Foul by Dani Olmo (Spain).
84'
Post update
Ardian Ismajli (Albania) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
84'
Substitution
Substitution, Albania. Rey Manaj replaces Armando Broja.
84'
Substitution
Substitution, Albania. Odise Roshi replaces Iván Balliu.
78'
Substitution
Substitution, Albania. Kristjan Asllani replaces Qazim Laçi.
77'
Post update
Attempt blocked. Marash Kumbulla (Albania) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Keidi Bare with a cross.
77'
Post update
Corner, Albania. Conceded by Pau Torres.
76'
Post update
Foul by Ferran Torres (Spain).
76'
Post update
Keidi Bare (Albania) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
75'
Goal!
Goal! Spain 1, Albania 0. Ferran Torres (Spain) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Yeremi Pino.