Albania faced a tough loss against the Czech Republic in their Nations League clash, falling 2-0 in Prague. The hosts quickly took the lead just two minutes into the match, with Chory finding the back of the net. The Czechs maintained heavy pressure on Thomas Strakosha's goal, dominating much of the game.
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| The moment when the national anthem of Albania is sung just before the Czech Republic vs Albania match in Prague, October 11, 2024 |
Sylvinho's team struggled to respond, showing little resilience throughout the 90 minutes. This defeat marks Albania’s second consecutive loss, following their September defeat against Georgia at Air Albania Stadium. Coincidentally, Georgia will be Albania's next opponent in three days, raising the stakes even higher. The Czech victory also served as a form of "revenge" for their 3-0 loss to Albania in the European Championship qualifiers.
In the other match in Albania’s group, Ukraine secured a win against Georgia, making the group standings more competitive. Georgia and the Czech Republic now lead the group with 6 points each, while Ukraine and Albania trail behind with 3 points each.
Adding to the disappointment was an incident involving Czech fans, which sparked controversy. Ultras behind one of the goals displayed three Albanian flags upside down, while next to them was a Serbian flag featuring a map of Kosovo, a gesture widely seen as provocative.