National Team Friendly

National stadium
Spectators: 10300 (Terracing: 7725, Seating: 2369, VIP seats: 206) Nikola Vlašić made the kick off and thus started the match. The audience thought a goal was coming when Januz Oparaku got free with Emil Cvitanović in the 6th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Marjus Laçka took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Nikola Vlašić, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. When the match had gone on for 17 minutes, Nikola Vlašić put it in 0-1 from a short distance just to the right of Marjus Laçka. Marjus Laçka made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Luka Mata in the 24th minute of play. In the last second Emil Cvitanović throw himself and got hold of the ball when Nderim Pepo in the 26thth minute from his position got away a shot towards the right post. Albania's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Isa Koliqi in the 27th minute. Marjus Laçka showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Nikola Vlašić in the 29th minute of the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Aulin Janku in the 33rd minute of play forced Croatia's goalkeeper Emil Cvitanović to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 33 minutes into the match, Croatia's goal looked a bit too open when Aulin Janku came free, but Emil Cvitanović reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Isa Koliqi struck a weak shot in the 39th minute. Emil Cvitanović didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Albania. Zani Xaka hit a great freekick 44 minutes into the match. The crowd was extremely unhappy with the home team's performance in the first half. They were losing 0-1.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Januz Oparaku to make the kick off. An unexpectedly hard shot by Nderim Pepo in the 54th minute of play forced Croatia's goalkeeper Emil Cvitanović to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Albania were awarded a corner in the 55th minute after Croatia's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Isa Koliqi took the corner. In the 59th minute of the match, Joško Poklepović got a very nice opportunity to score, but Marjus Laçka was well-placed and pushed the ball away from the goal at the left post. Nderim Pepo recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 62nd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Nderim Pepo made in the 66th minute of the game a throw-in that took a bad bounce and was taken care of by Croatia's Harry Maguire. With a little luck, Albania's Marjus Laçka got control of the ball when Luka Mata tried to sneak it across the goal line. Joško Poklepović could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 72nd minute of the match, but Marjus Laçka made a huge save. Marjus Laçka stood somewhat misplaced when Joško Poklepović came free in front of goal and shot 0-2 to the left of him in the 73 minute. An unexpectedly hard shot by Januz Oparaku in the 78th minute of play forced Croatia's goalkeeper Emil Cvitanović to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 81 minutes into the match, Croatia's goal looked a bit too open when Januz Oparaku came free, but Emil Cvitanović reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Januz Oparaku scored 1-2 in the 88th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Emil Cvitanović, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. Marjus Laçka stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Joško Poklepović's shot from short distance in the 92nd minute. The Croatia players were relieved to hear the final whistle blow to end the match. The away crowd was happy to see their team win after a very tight game.