Albania welcomed Portugal to the Elbasan Arena for a key Euro 2016 Group I qualifier on Monday evening.
The visitors had all of the chances in a scrappy first period, but the half-time interval arrived with the score still goalless.
It was a similar story after the break, but Portugal secured all three points in the second minute of stoppage time with a bullet header from Miguel Veloso.
Portugal remain top of the group on 15 points, while Albania are still third on 11.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live Euro 2016 qualification coverage continues from the Elbasan Arena as hosts Albania welcome Portugal in Group I. There is just one point between these two nations in the group, with Portugal top on 12 points and Albania third on 11. Denmark, meanwhile, currently occupy second position in the section on 12 points, having drawn 0-0 in Armenia earlier this evening.
First and foremost, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news...
TEAMS
ALBANIA: Berisha; Agolli, Ajeti, Cana, Djimsiti; Abrashi, Kukeli, Xhaka; Lenjani, Cikalleshi, Gashi
PORTUGAL: Patricio; Vieirinha, Pepe, Carvalho, Eliseu; Danilo, Veloso, Silva; Nani, Ronaldo, Danny
So there we have it. No real surprises in the Albania XI this evening, with Sokol Cikalleshi once again selected as the central striker. There are also spots in the team for Nantes' Ermir Lenjani and Basel attacker Shkelzen Gashi, while Taulant Xhaka is also starts in midfield. Experienced central defender Lorik Cana will captain Albania on his 86th appearance for the national team.
As for Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo, who has scored 55 times in 120 games for his country, will lead the line. As expected, Nani and Danny are also both included by head coach Fernando Santos, while Monaco's rising star Bernardo Silva will make just his third appearance for the national team in an advanced midfield role. Vieirinha and Eliseu will play in the two full-back positions.
H2H! In terms of the recent meetings between the two teams, Albania were 1-0 winners when the pair met in their Group I opener last September. That is the only time that Albania have ever beaten Portugal, however, with the Iberian nation victorious in four of the six meetings between the pair. Albania have also lost both of their previous fixtures against Portugal on home soil.
Group I is shaping up for a fascinating end, with three teams battling for the top two guaranteed qualification spots. Serbia and Armenia also make up the group, but they only have three points between them, leaving Portugal, Denmark and Albania to battle for the top two positions. As it stands, Portugal lead the way on 12 points, but there is still a lot of football to be played.
As mentioned, Portugal were beaten 1-0 at home by Albania in their group opener last September, but Fernando Santos's team have since beaten Denmark, Armenia twice and Serbia to move onto 12 points. They are level on points with second-place Denmark, but do have two games in hand over Morten Olsen's side and victory this evening would place Portugal in a strong position.
Indeed, Portugal's next qualifier is at home to Denmark in October, before they travel to Serbia three days later. Portugal have actually won their last five away qualifiers and are unbeaten in six qualifying games on the road – scoring 16 goals in the process. It would be a big surprise if Cristiano Ronaldo & Co. failed to automatically qualify for the tournament in France next summer.
As for Albania, they are currently unbeaten in the group. Gianni de Biasi's side will enter the match off the back of a 0-0 draw in Denmark on Friday, with that result moving them onto 11 points. The nation have never before qualified for a major international tournament, but securing a spot at Euro 2016 is in their own hands. Like Portugal, they also have two games in hand over Denmark.
In terms of what is left to come for the Red and Blacks, after this one, they will host Serbia on October 10, before finishing with a trip to Armenia. Albania's credentials have also been shown in recent friendlies – beating France 1-0 in June and only narrowly losing to Italy. Now ranked 22 by FIFA, this is a nation that certainly now need to be taken seriously on the football field.
PREDICTION! I think this will be a really tough game for Portugal. I am not expecting too much of an open game, with Albania strong at the back. I do expect the visitors to score, but I am actually going to plump for a 1-1 draw, which would not be a particularly bad result for either country.
KICK OFF! Here we go then - the national anthems have been completed and the flags have been exchanged. It must be said that the pitch is in excellent condition, while there is a very good atmosphere - all things are set for a good game of football. The hosts get the first 45 minutes underway here...
... as expected, it has been a fast start from both teams, with each battling for possession in the middle of the park. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - will be vital. It will be interesting to see just how attack-minded Portugal are, especially early on here.
Portugal have just started to take control of the possession in the last couple of minutes, with Danilo and Veloso enjoying plenty of the ball. No opportunities to report thus far, however.
Portugal's Danny has a sight of goal after a clearing header from Agolli, but the midfielder's effort was never troubling the home side's goalkeeper. There is a good pace to the early minutes here.
Nothing much from Ronaldo in the opening seven minutes, with the away side unable to find their captain in space. Albania are looking dangerous when they manage to break into the final third, but Portugal are enjoying more of the ball, with Danny showing some excellent touches.
The referee has been a busy man in the last couple of minutes following a number of late challenges, but has thus far not produced a card. Portugal continue to pass and probe in Albania.
Not an awful lot to report in terms of chances in the opening 12 minutes here, but Portugal are the better team in terms of possession and intent in the final third. Albania have been nice and tight at the back, but the likes of Gashi and Cikalleshi have not really been in the match thus far.
SAVE! Ronaldo bursts into life for Portugal as he finds space outside the box before drilling one towards the bottom corner, but Berisha is across to make a very smart save indeed!
POST! Portugal have a wonderful chance from the resulting corner as Nani meets a near-post Danilo header, but the attacker can only clip the post from close range. Two big moments early on!
Portugal have a shout for a penalty as Ronaldo goes down inside the box under a late challenge from Ajeti, but the referee is not interested. It was a clumsy challenge from the central defender!
It is all Portugal at the moment as Vieirinha is the latest to break forward before releasing a shot, but the full-back's attempt was always rising over the crossbar. Albania are on the back foot here.
Both teams have been a little guilty of conceding possession too easily in the last couple of minutes, which is not helping the flow of the match. Still goalless with 18 minutes played.
Ronaldo has been the subject of some close attention from Albania in the last couple of minutes and a late challenge from Cana has handed Portugal a free kick in a dangerous area here...
... it is a terrible free kick from the visitors, as Veloso attempts to slide a short pass into Ronaldo, but the connection is poor and Albania manage to clear. What a complete waste from the visitors!
To be blunt, this is not a very good game at the moment. Portugal are still playing the better football, but both teams have been guilty of conceding the ball far too easily in the middle of the park. Ronaldo, however, has started to come to life here, which is bad news for the home side.
BOOKING! Djimsiti (Albania) is booked for a late challenge on Nani.
Albania have simply not been able to create anything of note in the opening 25 minutes here and there is certainly frustration in the stands. This is there for Portugal if they want it this evening.
Excellent work from the Albanian goalkeeper as he comes out to clear a through ball, which Ronaldo had looked favourite to meet. Ronaldo is again involved following a cross from the right, but the Real Madrid attacker is surrounded by three defenders. Still goalless in Albania tonight.
SAVE! Again it is Ronaldo that bursts into life for Portugal as he creates space outside the box before drilling one towards the bottom corner, but Berisha is down to make another save.
From the resulting corner, Danilo heads high and wide after making first contact.
Ronaldo has looked the most likely to open the scoring this evening, which is not much of a surprise. Well, it isn't a surprise in any form. Once again he is simply the best player on the park.
Nani is next to set up Ronaldo with a super cross onto the Real Madrid attacker's head, but the Albanian defence held a good line and the flag was raised. Nonetheless Ronaldo's effort was wide.
Portugal continue to pass and probe in the final third, but in fairness to Albania, they have been pretty solid at the back thus far. The home supporters are doing their best to raise their team here.
Albania's first sight of goal comes through Cikalleshi as the number 16 strikes one from outside the box, but it is deflected into the arms of Patricio, who has had a very quiet game thus far.
In truth, it is not too difficult to realise that Portugal are the more superior team tonight, but the visitors have been very sloppy in possession of the ball. It is the type of match where they will need something special from Ronaldo to claim all the points. It is almost certain to happen isn't it!
CLOSE! Wonderful work from Silva as the Portuguese combines with Nani before curling one towards the bottom corner, but his effort just missed the far post. That's more like it!
Portugal have another sight of goal as Danny turns two defenders outside the box, but the attacker then attempts to find a teammate when a shot would have been the better option!
BOOKING! Abrashi (Albania) is booked for a late challenge on Danilo.
Ronaldo is being marked by about five defenders at the moment and another Portugal move breaks down when red shirts surround the forward. Still goalless with 45 minutes played here.
Patricio saves from Gashi in what is the final piece of action in the first period.
HALF-TIME: Albania 0-0 Portugal
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 0-0. To be blunt, it has not been a very good game thus far, but Portugal have looked by far the more likely to break the deadlock, with Ronaldo in particular coming close on a couple of occasions.
STATS! Portugal have dominated the possession with 57%, while they have had eight attempts - two of which have been on target. As for Albania, they have hit the target once from their two attempts. There have also been two bookings, both for Albania, following a couple of late challenges.
BENCH WATCH! Albania have not been too impressive in the final third thus far, but De Biasi does have options on his bench in the shape of Memushaj, Salihi and Sadiku. As for Portugal, Santos has the likes of Eder, Quaresma and Varela in reserve. Will we see any alterations at the break?
RESTART! Here we go then - both sets of players re-join us on the field for the second 45 minutes. Will we have a breakthrough in Albania? Portugal get the second period of action underway...
... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise at this stage of proceedings. However, I suspect that alterations will occur if the score remains level for too long!
Not too much to report in the early stages of the second period, with both teams still struggling to quicken the pace in the final third. We are in need of some inspiration at the Elbasan Arena.
It is very stop-start at the moment as Albania continue to commit late challenges outside their own box, but Portugal have been unable to find a quality delivery thus far. The latest set piece is whipped in by Veloso and met by Nani, but it was always a comfortable save for Berisha.
Half-chance for the home side as Cikalleshi finds space outside the box before curling one towards the top corner, but Patricio is on hand to make the save. Better from the home team.
CHANCE! Albania come close once again as Cikalleshi meets a corner from the left, but his header is deflected just wide. Another corner arrives soon after, but Portugal survive.
PORTUGAL SUB! Cedric replaces Vieirinha.
ALBANIA SUB! Basha replaces Abrashi.
CHANCE! Brilliant chance for Portugal this time as Cedric whips a cross onto the head of Danny, but his effort is wide of the post. Much better game at the moment here.
Little over 30 minutes of football remaining this evening and we have still not had a breakthrough. Portugal have had the better chances, but Albania have improved at the start of the second half.
Another half-chance for Portugal as Danny spins inside the box before drilling one towards goal, but Berisha is on hand to make the save. You just get the feeling that one goal would be enough to claim all the points this evening, but the quality of the finishing certainly needs to improve!
We have not seen too much from Ronaldo in this second period, with Danny looking the most likely to make the breakthrough for the visitors. As it stands, Portugal would remain top of the group on 13 points, while Albania would remain third on 12 - level on points with Denmark.
PORTUGAL SUB! Quaresma replaces Silva.
Ronaldo breaks through on the Albanian goal after a super pass from Veloso, but the offside flag is raised, much to the frustration of the Portugal captain. Little over 20 minutes remaining here.
In truth, a point apiece would not be the worst result for either team this evening, but Portugal will feel that they have had enough chances to win this match. The home side still have two permitted changes remaining, while Portugal have one. Will the deadlock be broken here?
ALBANIA SUB! Roshi replaces Gashi.
Good spell for the home side in the last couple of minutes, with the two substitutions making a difference in the final third. That said, Patricio is still not really being tested in the Portugal goal.
POST! Albania come close to making the breakthrough as Cikalleshi hammers one from outside the box, but his effort smashes against the post! So close for the hosts there!
Albania again come close as Basha strikes one from distance, but his effort is wide.
PORTUGAL SUB! Eder replaces Danny in Portugal's final change.
Portugal again come close as Ronaldo strikes one from outside the box, but Berisha is on hand to make the save. Xhaka then strikes one from distance, but his effort is deflected wide.
CLOSE! Incredible chance for Portugal to take the lead as Eliseu breaks through on the Albanian goal before lifting one over the out-coming goalkeeper. It looks certain to land in the bottom corner, but it just drops wide of the post. Big let-off for the home side there!
BOOKING! Nani (Portugal) is booked for a late challenge on Cana.
Little over five minutes of football remaining and we are still level at 0-0. Portugal continue to look the more threatening, but Albania are showing their willingness to commit men forward.
ALBANIA SUB! Cikalleshi is replaced by Balaj.
Another half-chance for the home side as Xhaka releases one from outside the box, but it was always moving wide of the post. Still no goal, but not through the want of trying here!
Veloso finds some space outside the Albania box, but his effort was always rising.
Agolli hits the deck and stays there following a challenge with Eder, which further takes the pace out of the match. The fourth official indicates that we will play another three minutes here.
Eliseu is forced into some excellent defending at the far post as another deep cross arrives from Xhaka. It does appear that the points will he shared as we head for the final moments here.
GOAL! Albania 0-1 Portugal (Veloso)
OH MY WORD! Portugal have won this in the second minute of stoppage time as a bullet header from Veloso nestles in the back of the net. It was Quaresma with the corner and Veloso showed excellent determination to make first contact inside the box. What a moment for the midfielder!
Albania have seconds to do something about that Veloso header.
HALF-TIME: Albania 0-1 Portugal
Incredible - just incredible. Veloso's late, late header secures all the points for Portugal, who have moved three points clear at the top of Group I. Albania, meanwhile, remain in third on 11 points, but they are just one point off second-place Denmark and also have a game in hand.
Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Until next time!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
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