Euro 2016 - Albania beat Romania to earn chance of last 16 place

Albania kept their hopes of qualifying for the last 16 of Euro 2016 alive with a 1-0 win over Romania in Lyon.

Armando Sadiku’s name will go down in history as his country’s first ever goal-scorer at a major tournament finals after he rose to head home Andi Lila’s 43rd-minute cross and hand Albania the win their efforts in France have warranted.

Gianni De Biasi’s side defended superbly throughout against a toothless Romania, for whom Euro 2016 is now over after they finished bottom of Group A.

Ermir Lenjani missed what appeared to be a golden chance to give Albania the lead midway through the first half when he scooped Lila’s low cross over the bar with the goal gaping, but the winger had been flagged offside before touching the ball.

Romania, largely confined to speculative long-range shots, produced only one clear chance to equalise when substitute Florin Andone crashed a fierce shot off the Albania crossbar with Etrit Berisha rooted, after a flowing one-touch move.

De Biasi’s side must now wait until Wednesday to see if their tally of three points will be enough to carry them further in France, but as the final whistle went in Lyon his players hardly seemed to care as they celebrated a glorious night in the country’s history.

After impressive performances in defeat to Switzerland and France, Albania did not deserve to leave Euro 2016 without something significant to celebrate. A first major tournament goal and win certainly fits the bill, particularly against Romania, Eastern European rivals and a team they had not beaten in eight previous competitive meetings. Gianni De Biasi has this technically limited team tactically exceptionally well drilled, to the extent that captain and most notable player Lorik Cana was not missed on the bench. They must wait to see if they will play another game in this tournament but, should they reach the last 16, their more illustrious opponents should be aware that breaching their massed defence is no easy task.

Elseid Hysaj (Albania): Almost flawless on the right of the Albanian defence, he marshalled Stancu and later Torje expertly and even initiated some promising attacks for his team with an impressive range of passing. Honourable mentions also go to defensive partner Mergim Mavraj and midfield playmaker Ledian Memushaj.

Romania: Tatasuranu 3; Sapunaru 5, Grigore 4, Chiriches 5, Matel 5; Prepelita 5, Hoban 4; Popa 5, Stanciu 5, Stancu 4; Alibec 5. Subs: Sanmartean 6, Torje 6, Andone 6.

Albania: Berisha 6; Hysaj 8, Ajeti 7, Mavraj 8, Agolli 7; Abrashi 7, Basha 6, Memushaj 8; Lila 7, Sadiku 7, Lenjani 6. Subs: Balaj 6, Roshi 6, Cana 6.

6' - CLOSE CALL! Hoban goes down writhing after being caught on the shoulder by Basha's right boot. Referee Pavel Kralovec shows him a yellow card, but it could easily have been a red.

8' - CHANCE! Stancu is a confident man and he stings the palms of Berisha by catching a dropping ball with a fierce volley, that the Albania goalkeeper beats away.

23' - CHANCE! Albania will never get a better chance to score their first goal at a major tournament. A sweeping counterattack cuts the Romanian defence wide open and Lila crosses the ball from the right to Lenjani, who spoons his shot over when it looked easier to score. Replays show the winger was flagged offside before he touched the ball.

36' - CHANCE! Albania are applying real pressure here and after Memushaj's shot is parried out for a corner by Tatasuranu, his smart low corner delivery is blazed well over by an unmarked Basha.

43' - GOAL! Romania 0-1 Albania. Albania have got the first tournament goal that this first-half performance has deserved. Lila sends another hanging cross over from the right and Sadiku heads it back across the stranded Tatasuranu and into the net. History is made and the man of the moment is mobbed.

66' - CLOSE CALL! Sanmartean makes another progressive run through midfield and Basha elects to bring him down 25 yards from the Albania goal. He's a little fortunate to avoid a second booking.

76' - CHANCE! So close to a sensational equaliser for Romania as a one-touch move sends Andone through, and his dipping shot crashes off the crossbar with Berisha rooted.

86' - CHANCE! Albania surge upfield in response and win a corner. Memeshaj's low delivery is inviting but Mavraj can only sweep it into the side netting.

90+5' - FULL TIME: Romania 0-1 Albania. And that is that! Wild scenes of celebrations among the Albania players and supporters after confirmation that their first ever goal at a major tournament has secured their first ever win at a major tournament. Fancied by no one heading into Euro 2016, Gianni De Biasi's men may now find themselves in the knockout stage as one of the best third-place teams. Remarkable.

Albania have defeated Romania for the first time since May 1948, ending a run of 13 games without a win against their Eastern European rivals.

Romania are out of Euro 2016 at the group stage despite boasting the best defensive record in qualifying for the tournament, having conceded just two goals in 10 matches to preserve an unbeaten record (W5 D5) in Group F.

This was Anghel Iordanescu's 100th match as head coach or assistant coach of Romania.