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| Jasir Asani with "plis" on his head after scoring against the Czech Republic |
Euro 2024 is closer than ever, and the red and black fans can now start booking their tickets to Germany. Albania defeated the Czech Republic 3-0 in Air Albania Stadium, and now they need only two more points in the remaining two matches (against Moldova and the Faroe Islands) to secure their qualification to the European Championship in Germany.
The challenge began in the best possible way for Sylvinho's believers. In the fifth minute, Jasir Asani unleashed one of his specialties, beating the Czech goalkeeper Pavlenka. It was an extraordinary celebration at Air Albania, and Asani himself put on a hat to further excite the fans.
Furthermore, the red and blacks had two more opportunities. Asllani provided a nice pass to Cikalleshi, who was stopped by the Czech goalkeeper, and later, Ramadani passed to Asani, but the shot was saved by one of the opposing defenders.
In the 38th minute, the Czech Republic found an equalizer, but everything was irregular as Chytil scored with his hand, and the referee punished him with a yellow card. It was the second for the striker, leaving the guests with 10 players.
At the end of the first half, Albania could have scored again after a counter-attack, but Ramadani's pass to Bajrami was slightly too strong. However, the second goal didn't take long to arrive, coming in the 51st minute.
A model action from the red and blacks began with Asllani, passed to Hysaj, and then Asani delivered a perfect cross where Taulant Seferi didn't make a mistake, punishing the Czechs. With a 2-0 lead, Albania played calmly, managing their double advantage.
However, Sylvinho's believers weren't satisfied with just that. They scored a third goal in the 73rd minute. Mirlind Daku, who came off the bench, moved well in the box and passed to Seferi. With the goal wide open, Seferi didn't miss, igniting the atmosphere at Air Albania for the third time.
But the celebrations didn't end there as the red and blacks found a fourth goal with Arbnor Muja, but VAR disallowed the striker's celebration. Nevertheless, the final celebration belongs to the Albanians, who are delighted with the three crucial points for their qualification.
After this victory, Albania climbs to 13 points and maintains the top spot in Group E, four points ahead of their closest pursuers, Poland. Following this match, the red and blacks also confirm themselves as the best offense and defense in the group. In the next matches against Moldova and the Faroe Islands, two points will be enough to take Albania closer than ever to their second appearance in the European Championships.
Just like the Albanian National Team, Kosovo's "Dardanians" have dealt a "knockout" blow to their opponents, tripling the score against Andorra.
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| Andi Zeqiri after scoring against Andorra |