Group B: What To Expect In Matchday Three

Euro 2024's "Group Of Death" certainly hasn't disappointed and is as incredibly close as many predicted. The chance of an upset is still on the cards going into matchday three, following Albania's last-minute draw against Croatia and Spain's 1-0 win over Italy. This has kept the gap between Italy in second and Croatia in fourth at two points, with Spain not having to worry as they have already qualified for the knockout stages as group winners.

Italy VS Croatia

Italy and Croatia play their final game of the group stage in Leipzig it being a crucial game for both sides, more so Croatia after a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Spain and allowing the underdogs Albania to equalise. A potential favourite to go through sit at the bottom of Group B needing a win against Italy that would leapfrog them into 2nd place. However a draw would not be enough as it would mean they would only end up on two points and most likely would not be enough to go through as a best third-placed team.

Italy, on the other hand, can afford to draw, as a draw against Croatia would ensure they finish in second place. Even if this happens and Albania beat Spain on Monday, they cannot finish above Italy as the Italians have the advantage in the head to head record. However, if Italy were to lose and Albania fail to beat Spain, Italy would finish in third place and could have a good chance at going through as one of the best third-placed teams.

Albania VS Spain

Albania and Spain play their final game of the group stage in Dusseldorf on Monday, kicking off at the exact same time as the other group game. Like their group games so far, Albania will have a point to prove against the tough side of the group, Spain, the only team that managed to win both of their first two games in Group B.

Albania will certainly need to continue their momentum and will have the belief that they can upset the group winners; however, they will have a lot of pressure on their shoulders as they will have to win in order to have a chance to make even more history and should not be overlooked as in their first game against the reigning champions Italy they managed to capitalise on a mistake and score the fastest goal in the history of the tournament in only 23 seconds and to back it up in their second game against fellow Balkan side Croatia who they took all the way and managed to find a last-minute equaliser to keep their chances of the knockout stages alive.

Like Italy, Albania could potentially go through in either second or third place, but ultimately, their chance of reaching the knockout stages is a lot harder as they will have to beat Spain and hope that Italy lose their group game against Croatia, however, if both win their games then Albania can finish behind Italy in third on four points and if other results across the tournament also go their way they could possibly go through as a best third-place team.

However, Albania's opponents, Spain, are already through to the knockout stages after demolishing Croatia 3-0 and then beating Italy 1-0, and with that victory over Italy, they will top the group and being in this position gives them the advantage of most likely resting some key players now that they have progressed to the next stages of the competition, which could give Albania a chance against the intense nature of Spain's playing style and could help the small country create even more history at the tournament.