Cani cracks Croatian resistance

Substitute Nevian Cani scored the only goal as Albania maintained their Group 1 challenge with a 1-0 victory at home against Croatia in Elbasan.

Breakthrough goal
The home side had made good running in the first half, and had the ball in the net once through Xhevahir Sukaj after 41 minutes only for the effort to be ruled out offside. Albania goalkeeper Enea Koliqi made a good save to deny Croatia's Ivo Iličević early in the second half before Cani, on as a replacement for Sukaj, broke the deadlock with 15 minutes to go. Albania face section leaders Italy in their next game on Tuesday while Croatia are at home against Azerbaijan.