Denmark's Vibe scores late equaliser in Albania
Saturday, October 11, 2014
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Albania 1-1 Denmark
Ermir Lenjani's first-half strike was cancelled out nine minutes from time by Lasse Vibe as the hosts were denied another historic victory.
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• Albania joint-top with Denmark after draw in Elbasan
• Ermir Lenjani scores opener on 38 minutes
• Albania almost record first victory against Denmark since 1963
• Lasse Vibe comes off bench to grab equaliser on 81 minutes
• Next games: Serbia v Albania, Denmark v Portugal (Tuesday)
Albania almost followed up their victory in Portugal on matchday one with another historic win, this time against Denmark, but were denied another UEFA EURO 2016 qualifying success nine minutes from time.
Playing for the first time at the recently refurbished Elbasan Arena, the hosts grabbed a 38th-minute lead through Ermir Lenjani's deflected strike but Denmark substitute Lasse Vibe slotted home an 81st-minute equaliser as the Group I rivals went joint-top.
The visitors, chasing their second victory after the home win against Armenia, had the better of the early exchanges. Simon Kjær tested Albania goalkeeper Etrit Berisha with a header before Christian Eriksen and Yussuf Poulsen squandered decent opportunities in the opening 20 minutes.
The home team, who last beat Denmark on 30 October 1963 in the sides' only UEFA European Championship meeting before tonight, had to wait until the 24th minute for their first sight of goal – Andi Lila nodding Lenjani's cross wide at the back post. Eight minutes later, Kasper Schmeichel saved Taulant Xhaka's effort before Lenjani's left-foot drive found the bottom corner to fire Albania ahead. Gianni De Biasi's men almost doubled their advantage before half-time but Bekim Balaj's strike failed to hit the target.
Peter Ankersen and captain William Kvist both saw attempts from distance go wide after the interval. Then Albania skipper Lorik Cana almost diverted Vibe's centre into his own net in the 55th minute, the post alone preserving the hosts' narrow lead.
Lenjani nearly registered a second in the 73rd minute when his shot inside the box threatened to creep in. However, Denmark levelled through Vibe after Nicklas Bendtner had been tackled in the area and the ball broke to him. Morten Olsen's charges even came close to grabbing a late winner, Berisha diving low to deny Vibe in added time.
