MX23RW : Friday, November 15 09:55:40| >> :600:91851:91851:
[monks data]
Portugal national football team
European Championship | Qualifiers
Sep 7, 2014 at 7.45pm UK
 
Albania national football team

0-1

FT(HT: 0-0)
Balaj (52')

Albania shock Portugal in Euro 2016 qualifier

Bekim Balaj's goal gives Albania a shock win in their opening Euro 2016 Group I qualifier against Portugal this evening.

Portugal suffered a shock defeat at the hands of Albania in their opening Euro 2016 Group I qualifier this evening.

Albania's forward Odise Roshi (L) vies with Portugal's defender Fabio Coentrao during the UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying football match on September 7, 2014© Getty Images

Paulo Bento's side, without the injured Cristiano Ronaldo, struggled to break down their well-organised opposition, with few chances to speak of in the opening 45 minutes.

Bekim Balaj scored the crucial goal for the away side with a sharp finish on 52 minutes.

Albania had six players booked as they continually frustrated their more illustrious opponents to hold on for a crucial three points.

ID:175499: cacheID:175499:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:1863:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Portugal midfielder Joao Moutinho with the ball against Germany in their Euro 2012 match on June 9, 2012
Read Next:
Half-Time Report: Portugal and Albania goalless
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Germany Germany32107
Q Switzerland Switzerland31205
3 Hungary Hungary31023
4 Scotland flag Scotland30121

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Spain Spain33009
Q Italy Italy31114
3 Croatia Croatia30212
4 Albania national flag Albania30121

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England31205
Q Denmark Denmark30303
Q Slovenia Slovenia30303
4 Serbia Serbia30212

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Austria Austria32016
Q France France31205
Q Netherlands Netherlands31114
4 Poland Poland30121

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Romania Romania31114
Q Belgium Belgium31114
Q Slovakia Slovakia31114
4 Ukraine Ukraine31114

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Turkey Turkey32016
Q Georgia Georgia31114
4 Czech Republic Czech Republic30121


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!