euro 24 group b - Historical Football Kits

2024 European Football Championship Group B

euro 24 logo Spain, Italy and Croatia are 8th, 9th and 10th in the FIFA rankings so it would not be possible to have a tighter group than this one. Spain have been in good form and have suffered just one defeat, against Colombia at Wembley Stadium in March, in the last 12 months. They also won the UEFA Nations League final, beating Croatia on penalties. Italy's lost to Spain in the UEFA Nations League semi-final in June of last year and went down 2-1 against England at Wembley in the Euro qualifiers. Croatia's qualifying campaign looked like it was coming off the rails when they suffered defeats against Turkey and Wales last October but wins in their last two games secured them runners-up position. Albania (ranked 66) look like being the whipping boys in the group.

Kit graphics by Daniel Stoker

Euro 24 Index

European Championships Index

Spain

Croatia

Spain 3 Croatia 0

Olympiastadion, Berlin
15 June

Three first-half goals were enough for the Spanish to complete the demolition of a spirited Croatian side, Morata (29'), Fabian (32') and Carvajal (45+1.54') getting their names on the score sheet. Croatia dominated posession for various periods of the match but even then the Spanish looked comfortable, patiently waiting to regain the ball and launch quick counter-attacks.

Italy

Albania

Italy 2 Albania 1

BVB Stadion Dortmund
15 June

With 50,000 supporters creating a deafening din, Albania took the lead after just 23 seconds when Bajrami pounced on an ill-judged throw-in by Di Marco to hammer home from close range. Italy remained calm and Bastoni equalised with a simple header in the eleventh minute. Barella fired a first-time shot in from 18 metres five minutes later. Albania had a few chances although Italy enjoyed long period of posession and in the end it was their superior game management that overcame Albania's passion.

Croatia

Albania

Croatia 2 Albania 2

Volksparkstadion Hamburg
19 June

The teams served up a thrilling game, full of twists and turns right to the end. Albania led at half-time thanks to Qazim Laci's glancing header in the 11th minute. They then set about defending, maintaining a narrow and compact formation to keep Croatia out. Kramaric managed to stab home the equaliser in the 74th minute. Two minutes later Croatia were ahead when Sucic had a shot from close range blocked but the ball cannoned off the onrushing Gjasula and into the net. Croatia coninued to attack but the Albanians refused to give in. They almost scored in the third minute of added time and two minutes later they worked the ball down the left, Mitaj cut it back for Gjasula to score.

Spain

Italy

Spain 1 Italy 0

Arena AufSchalke Gelsenkirchen
20 June

Spain were completey dominant, with Nico Williams and 16 year old Lamine Yamal outstanding. Italy were poor and must be thankful they did not concede more. A stroke of good fortune was needed for Spain's only goal of the match. Williams broke away on the wing and sent over a low cross that Morata flicked on. Donnarumma got his fingertips to the ball but only to deflect it onto Calafiori's knee and into the goal. Spain now go into the last 16 and look dangerous although they will have to convert more of their chances into goals if they are to go all the way.

Albania

Spain

Albania 0 Spain 1

Düsseldorf Arena
24 June

With their place in the knock out phase already assured, Spain fielded a rotated squad and finished with a perfect record - three wins and no goals conceded. Ferran Torres' early goal was enough and while Albania were never likely to get beyond the group stage they once again proved themselves to be worthy opponents, roared on by their passionate supporters.

Croatia

Italy

Croatia 1 Italy 1

Leipzig Stadium
24 June

After an indifferent first-half the game came to life in the 53rd minute when the referee, assisted by VAR, awarded Croatia a penalty after the ball brushed Frattesi's arm. Croatia's veteran Luka Modrić steered his kick towards the bottom-right corner but Italy's giant goalkeeper, Donnarumm,a beat the ball away. Italy failed to react while Croatia took posession and sent in a cross from the right. Budimir's close range efort was brilliantly saved by Donnarumma only for the ball to fall to Modrić who made no mistake this time. Italy pressed but lacked creativity until the eighth minute of stoppage time when Calafiori danced through the Croatian midfield before passing to the unmarked Zaccagni. He cut inside and curled a powerful drive into the top right corner. The Croatian team fell to the ground as one. While there is a mathematical chance that can progress it is a slim one.