Euro 2024 – Group B: Live score team, news and updates as Italy and Croatia going head-to-head with both in danger of an early exit, while Spain look to wrap up top spot

Croatia 0-0 Italy

Quality has been lacking from both Croatia and Italy so far.

The fireworks aren’t quite on display yet, but we know when these two sides get going, they start flying.

The last time I said not much had happened in a game, Spain went and scored…

Croatia 0-0 Italy

Oh dear, plastic cups are being thrown from the crowd at the Italians.

It’s exactly what you don’t want to see at a football match, but we have seen it a lot this tournament.

It needs to stop!

GOAL!!! Albania 0-1 Spain (F. Torres 13′)

A lovely, lovely goal from Spain!

It’s just way too easy for Ferran Torres as he is slid through in behind and finds the back of the net with a low-driven shot via the post.

After a bright Albanian start, it did look like it was starting to come, and it has.

Not the start Albania craved…

CHANCE! Albania 0-0 Spain

I spoke too soon, as always.

Just as I hit post, Joselu rises highest from a free-kick and sends a powerful header toward goal. It flies just over the bar.

I can’t tell you just how close that was…

Albania 0-0 Spain

This game is going exactly how it was expected to go, so far.

Spain are enjoying their fair share of the ball, and Albania are letting them come at them before trying to break.

Not too many chances to report yet, though.

Croatia 0-0 Italy

A nice little attack from Italy there, the first time they have gone forward.

They work the ball over to Giovanni Di Lorenzo on the right, who is in loads of space.

He drives onto the edge of the area, but his low cross is cleared well.

It’s been a lively start to this one.

GOOD SAVE! Croatia 0-0 Italy

Now that is some hit from Luka Sucic!

He approaches the area and just decides to have a go, and why not if you can shoot like that.

He unleashes a powerful strike which is heading for the top corner but Gianluigi Donnarumma tips it over the bar at full stretch.

A brilliant hit, and a brilliant save.

‘Huge Albanian banner unfurled’

Ian Herbert, Mail Sport, in Dusseldorf:

Amazing how the ‘Together Stronger’ message, which I think Wales first used, is now used across the continent. This huge Albanian banner was unfurled while the anthem was being sung. I saw it at the Ukraine media based yesterday too

Albania 0-0 Spain

It took just 10 seconds for Spanish veteran Jesus Navas to get snapped in half.

He is rolling around on the floor, and I bet he is thinking ‘I am too old for this’.

It doesn’t take long for him to recover, though.

KICK-OFF: Croatia 0-0 Italy

Can we not just rewind to the national anthems? I enjoyed that.

Luckily, we are straight into the action in what is a huge night for Croatia and Italy.

Who will come out on top, who will qualify? We are about to find out!

KICK-OFF: Albania 0-0 Spain

There are already flares going off in the ground, the atmosphere is bouncing.

There is a huge roar as Spain get the ball rolling in Dusseldorf.

Can Albania cause an upset?

‘Il Canto degli Italiani’ belted out

I absolutely adore Italy’s national anthem.

Every time that I hear it I find myself trying to sing along even though I have zero Italian speaking skills.

Once again it is sung to perfection by the players and the fans, and they finish off with their signature scream.

Arguably the best national anthem out there (sorry Scotland fans).

‘Night of emotion for Navas’

Ian Herbert, Mail Sport, in Dusseldorf:

Spain’s captain tonight, Jesus Navas, is another of those legends – like Robert Lewandowski and Toni Kroos – signing off on an international career at this Euros. At 38, he is a legend beyond all others Seville, where has spent almost his entire career – 17 years, briefly broken up by a four-year spell at Manchester City. He won the World Cup with Spain in 2010 and the 2012 Euros. No doubt a night of some emotion for the No 22.

Red everywhere you look!

Dusseldorf is a sea of red, unsurprisingly…

The fans are having a hell of a time as kick-off slowly approaches, the vibe is immaculate.

The players have gone through the motions of their warm-up and are now back in the changing room.

These are the moments when the nerves start to grow, well, for the Albania fans anyway.

Chris Sutton: ‘The pressure is really on’

Chris Sutton, It’s All Kicking Off! co-host, speaking on BBC Radio 5Live:

It’s a really difficult one to call. Both teams haven’t found their top form just yet and have been pretty underwhelming by their standards. From Croatia’s perspective, they lost comfortably to Spain and then ended up drawing to Albania. The pressure is really on this evening.We talk about how Croatia have exceeded expectations and they reached the final of the World Cup in Russia and then the semi-finals in Qatar. They are getting on a bit but I wouldn’t write them off based on what I saw from Italy against Spain just yet. We know what to expect from them and we know what they are capable of.

‘Croatia fans making all the noise’

Matt Barlow, Mail Sport, in Leipzig:

Italy expected to line up 352… Dimarco has barely trained since the Spain game because of a calf injury but is fit to play as one of the wing-backs.Croatia outnumbering Italy in terms of fans inside the stadium and making all the noise as kick-off approaches.

Can England qualify tonight?

Yes, there is a possibility that England qualify for the knockout stages this evening.

I know they don’t play Slovenia until tomorrow, but it’s still plausible.

If Albania fail to win this evening, England will be guaranteed a best third-placed knockout spot, even if they lose tomorrow.

Get your Spain flags at the ready!

Gianluigi meets Gianluigi

Well, they have met many times before.

The two generations of Italian keeper have both enjoyed special times with their country, that’s for sure.

Both were heroes in major final penalty shootouts. Gianluigi Buffon won the World Cup in 2006, while Gianluigi Donnarumma triumphed at the Euros in 2021.

I wonder what was said in this moment? Maybe, ‘Don’t mess up tonight’.

The fast-starters

Watch out for an early goal from Albania tonight!

They have gained a reputation as the fast-starters of Euro 2024, and for good reason.

In their opening match against Italy, they netted after just 23 seconds, a record in European Championship football.

Against Croatia, they scored the opener after just 11 seconds. So, what time will they score tonight do you reckon?

I’m going for 13 minutes.

Raya’s time to shine

David Raya gets his chance in between the sticks for Spain tonight.

Look, it will be hard for him to shift Unai Simon out of the side for the big games, but if he puts in a storming performance tonight you just never know.

Ray’s first cap for his country came against Albania in a 2-1 win, and he now plays them in his first major tournament appearance.

He will want a clean sheet tonight, though.

Sea of red and white in Red Bull Arena

The Croatia fans are starting to pile into the Red Bull Arena ahead of their crunch match with Italy.

One of the supporters spotted is Ivana Knoll, who has been dubbed as the World Cup’s ‘sexiest fan’.

She and thousands of others are having fun in the sun as the players prepare to do battle.

The atmosphere is already buzzing in Leipzig.

Zlatko Dalic: ‘Anything can happen’

Zlatko Dalic, Croatia boss, speaking on Sunday:

We only conceded once in the group stage in Qatar 2022, we’ve conceded five thus far here. The players are three years older. We are also coming up against strong opposition here as well. Perhaps the main issue is that we started to concede goals this season.We know it’s essentially a knockout match tomorrow, and there won’t be any extra time and we must simply win the game. It’s must-win, any other result will send us home. We don’t want to go home so soon.We’ll try to stop them from getting that draw. We’ll try and stay relaxed to not lose our cool or lose our heads and not allow the opposition to get on top of us. Anything can happen tomorrow night but we’re ready to take it on again.

Retegui’s big chance

It’s a very big evening for Mateo Retegui, who is leading the line for Italy tonight.

Both of his appearances in this tournament so far have come off the bench, but now he is getting the chance to show what he has got from the start.

I was impressed by his tenacity against Spain, he gave his side an outlet that they had been lacking with Gianluca Scamacca.

If he plays well tonight, he may just keep his spot.

‘Anxiety running through Italian press’

Matt Barlow, Mail Sport, in Leipzig:

Italy look well set for the runners-up spot which would take them to Berlin against Switzerland in the last 16 but there is a thread of anxiety running through their press pack. Croatia have never lost to Italy in eight games since independence in 1991 and Luciano Spalletti’s team are still chastened by the lesson at the hands of Spain on Thursday. Nevertheless, a point is all they need and Croatia are going to have to find a serious step up in form if they are to get the win they need.Stadium slow to fill up. After a dreadful spell of weather during the opening week, Summer has arrived in Germany. It is hot and cloudless in Leipzig even at eight in the evening. I wouldn’t blame fans if they are lingering in the parks around the Red Bull Arena.

‘Looks like Spain’s B team’

Ian Herbert, Mail Sport, in Dusseldorf:

This really does look like Spain’s B team. It’s going to be 10 changes for them. Only Laporte keeps his place from the XI that started against Italy. No chances taken for the Spanish, who have qualified top of this group. That could make the game for open and given Albania a trace of hope

Albania Team News – ONE change

Just the solitary change for Albania then.

Sylvinho has not felt the need to switch it up quite as much as his counterpart, but Ivan Balliu does come in for Elseid Hysaj.

Albania XI: Strakosha; Balliu, Djimsiti, Ajeti, Mitaj; Laci, Ramadani, Asllani; Asani, Manaj, Bajrami

Italy Team News – Retegui STARTS

And now Luciano Spalletti has named his 11 to take on Croatia.

The Italian boss has decided to switch up[ his formation to a back three, with Matteo Darmian coming in.

Giacomo Raspadori and Maeto Retegui both came off the bench to spice things up against Spain and get their opportunity to start up front today.

Italy XI: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Darmian, Bastoni, Calafiori, Dimarco; Barella, Jorginho; Raspadori, Retegui, Pellegrini.

Croatia Team News – FOUR changes

This is how soon…

Zlatko Dalic has revealed the 11 he has tasked with securing qualification for the knockout stages.

He has made four changes to the side that drew 2-2 with Albania. Mario Pasalic, Luka Sucic, Josip Stanisic, and Marin Pongracic all come into the team.

Croatia XI: Livakovic; Stanisic, Sutalo, Pongracic, Gvardiol; Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic; Sucic, Kramaric, Pasalic.

Teams arrived at the Red Bull Arena

Over in Leipzig, both Croatia and Italy are in the Red Bull Arena.

The sun is shining once again over there, and it is a stunning setting to do battle.

Which players will be in the fight, though? We will know very soon.

Spain arrive in Dusseldorf

Now the excitement starts to ramp up that bit more.

Group B leaders, Spain, are in the building. They are currently checking out the turf and seem fairly relaxed.

I mean, most of the players photographed aren’t even starting, Luis de la Fuente has not held back on the changes.

It will be interesting to see what difference it makes.

‘Headwear of the tournament goes to Albania’

Ian Herbert, Mail Sport, in Dusseldorf:

Headwear of the tournament must go to the Albanians, for their Geleshe, otherwise known as folds, which is made of felt. Thousands of them out in Dusseldorf since late morning. The size of the team’s support here is built around Germany’s big Albanian population. There are well over 300,000 in the country.

Spain Team News – 10 CHANGES

Luis de la Fuente has made just the 10 changes, so not many…

Aymeric Laporte is the only player from their 1-0 win over Italy who keeps his place.

David Raya takes his place between the sticks, 38-year-old Jesus Navas gets the nod, and Joselu is up top.

I’m sure Albanian fans eyes have just lit up seeing this line-up.

Spain XI: Raya; Navas, Vivian, Laporte, Grimaldo; Zubimendi, Merino; Ferran, Olmo, Oyarzabal, Joselu.

Croats having a good time

The Croats know how to create an atmosphere, just look at these scenes.

The pyro is out, the smoke has taken over Leipzig, and the chants are well and truly being sung.

It’s a big day for Croatia, it could be their last at this tournament, and they are enjoying themselves.

Get me in there, it looks like great fun.

One last hurrah for Croatia?

It feels like Croatia’s golden generation is coming to the end of its tenure.

This tournament has been a tough one for Croatia and its fans, they don’t strike the same fear into sides as they did between 2018 and 2022.

The majority of the players remain the same, but that is part of the problem, they have not progressed.

It is surely the last time we see the likes of Luka Modric and Marcelo Brozovic taking their spots in midfield next to each other at a major tournament.

Can they eek that little more life out of it tonight, or will they be sent packing?

Italy’s bogey team

It’s fair to say that Italy are not very fond of Croatia – in a footballing sense.

They are yet to beat them since they turned independent, despite facing them on eight separate occasions.

Five of those have been draws, which would be enough for Italy to see them through tonight.

Can they break the hoodoo, though?

Luciano Spalletti: ‘I can trust my players’

Luciano Spalletti, Italy boss, speaking on Sunday:

Matches like these will dictate whether this is a grand and glorious tale or one to forget. I expect to see we have learned a deal from the Spain game even if we played badly and it was a very painful defeat.I am delighted with what I have seen since. We haven’t just gone through the motions. I realise I am dealing with a great group of players and can trust them. I see how emotionally committed they are every minute of every day.It’s about being honest not worrying and treading on eggshells. Life goes by very quickly. The high-speed train speeds through the station in five seconds. Either you are ready to jump aboard or you are left on the platform and walking home.

Can defending champions bounce back?

Yes, Italy are usually slow starters in major tournaments, but their defeat to Spain was rather humbling, wouldn’t you say?

They did only lose 1-0, but my word were they dominated from the word go until the final whistle. It could have easily been three or four.

As defending champions, they have to bounce back, and tonight is the perfect chance to make a statement.

With a new-look spine to the team, and Luciano Spalletti at the helm, things are rather different to three years ago when they lifted the trophy.

They are still a top-side, though, so don’t rule them out just yet.

Scintillating Spain

Exhilarating, electrifying, breathtaking – all adjectives that can describe this Spain side.

Coming into this tournament, I told my friends to watch out for Spain, saying that they would go far – they all laughed in my face.

Who’s laughing now, eh?

In all seriousness, I’m not sure many people outside of Spain envisaged this youthful Spanish side to be as impressive as they have been, so far.

They dispatched Croatia with ease, shipping three past them, before putting in a commanding display to beat