Klaus Gjasula went from villain to hero for Albania after cancelling out his own goal with an equaliser in stoppage time to salvage a point in a 2-2 draw with Croatia.
It looked like Ante Budimir had inspired Croatia to a comeback win, playing a part in two goals in two minutes after Qazim Laci's early strike, but they could not hold on.
Albania led after just 11 minutes as Jasir Asani curled a delightful cross into the near post for Laci, who glanced his header past Dominik Livakovic at his near post.
They should have been 3-0 up at the break; Croatia were cut open by Asani's throughball, but Kristjan Asllani's drilled effort was straight at the goalkeeper, who later held onto Rey Manaj's flicked header.
Zlatko Dalic's side came out determined for the second half, but it was not until Budimir's introduction in the 69th minute that it all came together.
Five minutes later, he deftly flicked the ball to Kramaric, who wrong-footed Thomas Strakosha to slot an equaliser into the bottom corner to mark his 33rd birthday.
Just like against Italy on Saturday, Albania struggled to regain their composure. Moments later, Budimir's cutback was struck by Luka Susic, but Berat Djimsiti's block bounced off the unfortunate Gjasula and into the back of the net.
Deep into stoppage time, Gjasula atoned for that incident, latching onto Mario Mitaj's cross to sweep a low shot past Livakovic and into the bottom-left corner.
Data Debrief: Substitutes light up the game
Gjasula is just the second player to score a goal and an own goal in a single game at the Euros, after Anton Ondrus for Czechoslovakia against the Netherlands in 1976.
Despite only playing for 21 minutes, Budimir's introduction also proved an inspired choice by Dalic. Only Andrej Kramaric (three in 90 minutes) created more chances for Croatia than the substitute (two).
Montreal v Philadelphia Union: Curtin 'hurt' by recent MLS streak
Jim Curtin has said he will take the full burden of Philadelphia Union's poor recent form as they look to bounce back against fellow strugglers Montreal this Sunday.
The Union are without a win in their last six MLS fixtures, with their latest defeat coming at the hands of Charlotte FC in front of their home supporters last time out.
Curtin's side have managed just 20 points in their 19 league games after recording at least 32 at this stage in four of the previous five seasons.
And the Philadelphia head coach acknowledged his side's struggles in recent weeks, but highlighted the injuries within his squad as a major factor in their winless streak.
"The fingers are pointed at me first, and I accept that, and I take the responsibility for the current run that we are on," Curtin said.
"It hurts, but I still think the players are trying and giving everything that they can, but at the moment it is just not enough.
"We know that we're missing five to six key guys, and it hurts right now, and it's tough for us to catch a break and score a goal to make a play that changes the game."
Meanwhile, Montreal are enduring a losing streak of their own and are without a triumph since their 4-2 win over DC United back in May.
Laurent Courtois' side were beaten 4-1 by Colorado Rapids in their last MLS fixture, leaving them a point above bottom side Chicago Fire in the Eastern Conference.
L'Impact face a tough test should they want to return to winning ways this Sunday, having won one of their last nine meetings with the Union (D4 L4) dating back to October 2020.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Montreal – Josef Martínez
Martinez has scored eight career goals against the Union in all competitions, having only scored more against Orlando (9).
However, Curtin’s side have managed to keep the Venezuelan at bay in recent meetings, having shut the striker out in each of the last four league meetings, with his last league goal against them coming back in 2019.
Philadelphia – Tai Baribo
In the absence of top scorer Julian Carranzo (10) and Daniel Gazdag (10), Baribo has the opportunity to take centre stage for the Union against Montreal.
The Israeli scored his first two goals for the club on his first start in their 4-3 defeat to Cincinnati, and will be looking to rediscover his goal-scoring touch at the Stade Saputo.
MATCH PREDICTION: PHILADELPHIA WIN
The Union come into the encounter as marginal favourites despite their six-game winless streak, but their impressive record against their opponents will give them some much-needed confidence.
Philadelphia have lost just one of their last nine meetings with Montreal (W4 D4), but that defeat came in the last meeting between the two sides, losing 3-2 back in March 2023.
Montreal have won just one of their last 14 matches in all competitions (D7 L6) dating back to mid-April. They are one of three MLS teams, along with the Union and St. Louis City SC, with only one victory in all competitions in that time.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Montreal – 35.3%
Draw – 26%
Philadelphia – 38.7%
Atlanta United v Toronto FC: Reds must go back to basics to halt losing run, says Herdman
John Herdman has said that Toronto must go back to basics to halt their six-game winless run ahead of their trip to Atlanta United on Sunday.
The Reds fell to their third consecutive MLS defeat away to the New York Red Bulls last time out and have scored just four goals in their last five league fixtures.
Toronto enter the encounter in eighth place ahead of their trip to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, three points ahead of their opponents in the Eastern Conference.
Herdman's side Toronto FC has won only two of their last 30 away matches (D7 L21) dating back to September 2022, but the 48-year-old is keen to put an end to that run.
“We'll get back,” said Herdman. “As I've said to the lads, they just have to go to the next task.”
“That's all we can control at the moment,” he closed. “Just next task, back to basics, and then looking at evolving tactically for a tough match at Atlanta.”
For Atlanta, they are now unbeaten in their last three MLS games, having come from a goal down to draw with St. Louis City last Sunday.
Rob Valentino's side, however, have struggled at home in recent weeks and are without a win in seven (D2 L5), leaving them in ninth heading into the encounter.
The Five Stripes enter a busy period of the campaign, playing six matches in 18 days, starting by welcoming Toronto to Georgia, something which goalkeeper Brad Guzan knows about during his time in the Premier League.
“One of the most important things is being able to rest and recover mentally and physically," said Guzan.
So that when you step on the field for the next game, you are ready to go."
Atlanta – Daniel Rios
Having been an unused sub in consecutive games against Inter Miami and Charlotte, Rios has returned to the starting line-up with the desired impact, scoring two goals in his last three games.
The Mexican's equaliser against St. Louis City on Saturday came from a free-kick, the first non-penalty set-piece goal Atlanta have scored all season.
Toronto – Federico Bernardeschi
Should Toronto get back to winning ways, the experience and skill of Bernardeschi will be key, having provided 12 goal involvements from 17 MLS appearances this season.
The Italian has four goals in his last five league games, and has previously scored twice against the Five Stripes.
MATCH PREDICTION: ATLANTA WIN
Atlanta will be confident of maintaining their impressive record against their opponents at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium this weekend, having gone seven games without defeat (W3 D4).
But the Five Stripes will be wary of their recent home record. Valentino’s side are winless in seven straight games in front of their home supporters, (D2 L5) having not recorded a home win since March 31.
Despite their 3-0 defeat to the New York Red Bulls last time out, Toronto can take confidence from the defeat. It marked just the fifth time all season that Toronto failed to find the net. Last season, Toronto was shut out an MLS-record 18 times as the Reds already have more goals this season (28) than they managed in 2023 (26).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Atlanta – 60.6%%
Draw – 20.7%%
Toronto – 18.7%
John Herdman has said that Toronto must go back to basics to halt their six-game winless run ahead of their trip to Atlanta United on Sunday.
The Reds fell to their third consecutive MLS defeat away to the New York Red Bulls last time out and have scored just four goals in their last five league fixtures.
Toronto enter the encounter in eighth place ahead of their trip to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, three points ahead of their opponents in the Eastern Conference.
Herdman's side Toronto FC has won only two of their last 30 away matches (D7 L21) dating back to September 2022, but the 48-year-old is keen to put an end to that run.
“We'll get back,” said Herdman. “As I've said to the lads, they just have to go to the next task.”
“That's all we can control at the moment,” he closed. “Just next task, back to basics, and then looking at evolving tactically for a tough match at Atlanta.”
For Atlanta, they are now unbeaten in their last three MLS games, having come from a goal down to draw with St. Louis City last Sunday.
Rob Valentino's side, however, have struggled at home in recent weeks and are without a win in seven (D2 L5), leaving them in ninth heading into the encounter.
The Five Stripes enter a busy period of the campaign, playing six matches in 18 days, starting by welcoming Toronto to Georgia, something which goalkeeper Brad Guzan knows about during his time in the Premier League.
“One of the most important things is being able to rest and recover mentally and physically," said Guzan.
So that when you step on the field for the next game, you are ready to go."
Atlanta – Daniel Rios
Having been an unused sub in consecutive games against Inter Miami and Charlotte, Rios has returned to the starting line-up with the desired impact, scoring two goals in his last three games.
The Mexican's equaliser against St. Louis City on Saturday came from a free-kick, the first non-penalty set-piece goal Atlanta have scored all season.
Toronto – Federico Bernardeschi
Should Toronto get back to winning ways, the experience and skill of Bernardeschi will be key, having provided 12 goal involvements from 17 MLS appearances this season.
The Italian has four goals in his last five league games, and has previously scored twice against the Five Stripes.
MATCH PREDICTION: ATLANTA WIN
Atlanta will be confident of maintaining their impressive record against their opponents at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium this weekend, having gone seven games without defeat (W3 D4).
But the Five Stripes will be wary of their recent home record. Valentino’s side are winless in seven straight games in front of their home supporters, (D2 L5) having not recorded a home win since March 31.
Despite their 3-0 defeat to the New York Red Bulls last time out, Toronto can take confidence from the defeat. It marked just the fifth time all season that Toronto failed to find the net. Last season, Toronto was shut out an MLS-record 18 times as the Reds already have more goals this season (28) than they managed in 2023 (26).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Atlanta – 60.6%%
Draw – 20.7%%
Toronto – 18.7%
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