Historic win for Albania

Lyon: Armando Sadiku made history for Albania on Sunday as his goal secured a 1-0 win against Romania at Euro 2016 to give the Balkan nation their first ever victory at a major tournament.

Sadiku headed a Ledian Memushaj cross over goalkeeper Ciprian Tatarusanu two minutes before half-time in Lyon as Albania scored their first goal at the tournament to keep alive their chances of reaching the last 16.

Romania were eliminated while Gianni De Biasi's Albania, with three points and a negative goal difference, must now wait until the completion of the final round of group matches before finding out if they qualify for the last 16 as one of the four best third-placed sides.

Albania had lost their opening two games and thousands of people took to the streets of the capital Tirana, waving flags, sounding car horns and lighting flares in celebration of their team's historic victory.

“I am sure the Albanians will be really happy. Not only those who live in Albania but also those who are spread around the world,” said the team's Italian coach De Biasi. “I'm very happy for the team, in the first two games we didn't get what we deserved, but today we won against a team that are very difficult to play against, very well organised defensively ” he added.

“A loss is a loss and we're really sorry for what happened. Because of a mistake in our defence, we conceded a goal. In the second half, we tried to impose our style of play and take possession. I think the Albanian supporters gave energy to their team and that helped them score” said the Romania coach Anghel Iordănescu.

“Do I think we deserved to qualify? Yes and no. If you don't get a win, you don't deserve to qualify. I said on Sunday that this was the game of a generation, and it's true. They did everything they could to qualify.”