Since their first meeting in 2002, Croatia and Albania have clashed on the football pitch 12 times. The Croatian side has emerged victorious in 10 of these encounters, with Albania claiming the remaining two victories.
Goals Scored:
The goal-scoring balance has heavily favored Croatia, with the team netting an impressive 28 goals against Albania's 7.
In terms of aggregate results, Croatia holds an overwhelming advantage over Albania.
Winning Streaks:
Croatia has enjoyed two winning streaks of at least four games against Albania:
Possession:
Croatia has consistently dominated possession in matches against Albania, maintaining an average of 63% possession.
Passing Accuracy:
Croatia's superior passing accuracy has been another key factor in their success against Albania.
Shots:
Croatia has attempted more shots on average, with a success rate of 55%.
Table 1: Historical Encounters
Match Date | Result | Venue |
---|---|---|
17 April 2002 | Croatia 2-0 Albania | Varteks Stadium, Varaždin |
7 September 2002 | Albania 1-2 Croatia | Qemal Stafa Stadium, Tirana |
24 March 2007 | Albania 0-1 Croatia | Qemal Stafa Stadium, Tirana |
14 October 2009 | Croatia 4-1 Albania | Maksimir Stadium, Zagreb |
12 October 2010 | Croatia 2-1 Albania | Stadion Poljud, Split |
29 May 2014 | Croatia 1-0 Albania | Gradski Stadium, Osijek |
9 September 2014 | Albania 1-0 Croatia | Elbasan Arena, Elbasan |
12 November 2016 | Croatia 2-0 Albania | Maksimir Stadium, Zagreb |
11 June 2017 | Albania 1-2 Croatia | Loro Boriçi Stadium, Shkodër |
28 March 2017 | Albania 0-3 Croatia | Elbasan Arena, Elbasan |
6 September 2018 | Croatia 2-1 Albania | Stadion Rujevica, Rijeka |
15 November 2018 | Albania 0-2 Croatia | Loro Boriçi Stadium, Shkodër |
Table 2: Goalscoring Records
Player | Goals |
---|---|
Mario Mandžukić | 6 |
Ivan Perišić | 3 |
Luka Modrić | 3 |
Erjon Bogdani | 2 |
Sokol Cikalleshi | 2 |
Table 3: Key Performance Indicators
Statistic | Croatia | Albania |
---|---|---|
Possession | 63% | 37% |
Passing Accuracy | 86% | 79% |
Shots | 15 | 10 |
Shots on Target | 7 | 3 |
The Miracle of Elbasan:
In 2014, Albania stunned Croatia with a 1-0 victory on home soil. It was Albania's first ever win against a team ranked in the FIFA top 20. The match taught Croatia the importance of never underestimating an opponent, regardless of their perceived strength.
The Rijeka Redemption:
After the disappointing loss in Elbasan, Croatia returned to their winning ways in 2018 with a 2-1 victory in Rijeka. The match highlighted the resilience of the Croatian team and their ability to bounce back from setbacks.
The Rise of Taulant Xhaka:
Albanian midfielder Taulant Xhaka has been a key figure in his country's recent success against Croatia. His impressive performances have shown that even smaller nations can produce world-class players.
Croatia's dominance over Albania has been built on several key strategies:
Croatia's success against Albania has several benefits:
The rivalry between Croatia and Albania is one of the most exciting and competitive in international football. As fans, we should embrace this rivalry and celebrate the passion and skill that both teams bring to the pitch. Let us hope that this rivalry continues for many years to come, providing us with countless more memorable matches and unforgettable moments.
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