Romania 0-1 Albania: EURO 2016 Group A Report

Albania picked up their first ever win at a major tournament and kept their hope of qualifying for the Euro 2016 knockout stages alive as they beat Romania 1-0 in Lyon.

Armando Sadiku scored the decisive goal for the Albanians just before half-time, although they will have to wait on other results over the course of the next three days to see if they will progress to the last 16.

Meanwhile, Romania head home after picking up just a single point from their three matches.

Anghel Iordanescu made four changes to the team that drew 1-1 with Switzerland last time out with Alexandru Matel, Ovidiu Hoban, Adrian Popa and Denis Alibec came in for Razvan Rat, Mihai Pintilii, Alexandru Chipciu and Claudiu Keseru respectively.

Albania made one change, with Migjen Basha replacing the suspended Burim Kukeli in the starting XI.

The first effort of the match came three minutes in, when Hoban tried to curl into the far corner, before Bogdan Stancu went close with a brilliant first-time volley from 20 yards, that was palmed away by Etrit Berisha.

Albania missed a glorious chance to score their first Euro 2016 goal in the 23rd minute following a brilliant counter attack, but Lenjani could only fire over the bar from Andi Lila’s centre with the goal gaping.

The Albanian squad run to the fans celebrating their win. Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

The Albanians were in the ascendency and had another chance following some brilliant play by Ledian Memushaj, who turned well in the box before shooting straight at Ciprian Tataruşanu, instead of cutting the ball back to one of his team-mates.

Two minutes before the break, they did get their first goal at a major tournament, and it was a brilliantly worked one.

Lila once again crossed from the right-hand side and with Tatarusanu caught in no man’s land, Armando Sadiku had the simple task of heading the ball back across the goal and into the net – his sixth, and most important, goal for his country.

Romania made one change at the break with Lucian Sanmartean coming on for Andrej Prepelita, but it was the Albanians who continued to attack and they had a two-on-two opportunity soon after half-time, but Sadiku couldn’t find his feet after being found by the lively Memushaj.

14 minutes from time, Romania had their best chance of the second half, but substitute Florin Andone’s fierce shot inside the area hit the crossbar, as they exited the competition with a bit of a whimper.

Man of the Match: Ledian Memushaj (Albania)

The midfielder was a constant attacking threat for the Albanians, showing a number of neat touches and good passing play, while he was involved in everything good that his nation produced going forward.

What’s Next? Romania head home while Albania must wait for the conclusion of the other final group fixtures to see whether they have qualified for the last 16.