Albania U21 overturns Romania and secures its second victory in the group!

 

 Albania U-21 played today against Romania U-21 in the second match of the European qualifiers for this age group, triumphing with a score of 3-2 in an emotionally charged game.

Albania's lineup: Klidman Lilo, Behar Ismaili, Ermis Selimaj, Adrian Bajrami, Ajdi Dajko, Arda Kurtulan, Medon Berisha, Arlind Rexhepi, Adrion Pajaziti, Stiven Shpendi, Geralb Smajli.

The first minutes of the match were very balanced, with both teams circulating the ball but failing to create clear scoring opportunities. In the 14th minute, Romania's Borza had a close opportunity to score, but his shot went wide. Romania once again approached the Albanian goal dangerously with a shot by captain Munteanu from a distance that ended just outside the post. The first half ended with a 0-0 draw with few clear scoring chances.

The second half started energetically, with Romania breaking the deadlock through Grameni, who accurately struck the ball into the net after a right-wing cross. The Albanian U-21 team immediately responded one minute later when, following a right-wing cross into the center of the box, Arda Kurtulan struck, and the ball hit the crossbar. Buxhelaj, who was nearby, attempted a close-range shot, but one of the Romanian defenders cleared the ball to safety. Albania U-21 threw everything into the attack and applied high pressure, once again approaching the goal, this time with Shpendi, whose shot ended just beside the post. Meanwhile, substitutions were made to refresh the teams.

Despite efforts, Romania doubled their lead in the 58th minute. A long-range shot from one of the Romanian midfielders was saved by goalkeeper Lilo, but Borza, following the action, accurately shot and scored.

Nevertheless, the red and black team did not give up, and in the 63rd minute, Berisha delivered a deep pass to Cristian Shpendi, who managed to hit the goal with the ball that deflected off a defender and ended up in the net. The goal gave heart to the Albanians, who continued to fight, and the equalizer did not take long. Captain Medon Berisha unleashed a rocket from long distance that found the top corner of the Romanian goal. It was the 70th minute, and the score was fixed at 2-2.

Now, Albania U-21 believes and goes all out on the attack. In the 87th minute, the red and black team descended into the penalty area, and Stiven Shpendi made a short pass to Pajaziti, who accurately struck and managed to score for 3-2. The comeback mission is accomplished, and celebrations erupted at the "Elbasan Arena" with the red and black team finally taking a deserved lead. In the final minutes, the Albanian national team managed the game well, securing three crucial points and moving to first place in Group E with 6 points after the first two matches.