A new Spain, in more ways than one. As Lamine Yamal, who was not even a year old when they won Euro 2008, became first the youngest footballer to play in a European Championships and then, before half-time, the youngest to set up a goal in one, Luis de la Fuente’s side made a break with the past.

Nor, really, was it Croatia as we have come to know them: the great survivors, the tournament team whose powers of endurance have carried them deep into World Cups, were strangely supine. It was the Croatia of old, in that Luka Modric became the oldest player ever in a European Championships, in that they started with a midfield trio with 376 caps between them and the first substitute deployed was Ivan Perisic. The faces were familiar, but there was not the usual resilience.

Italy win their first corner of the game as Hysaj puts it behind. Pellegrini plays it short before delivering an inviting ball to the back post, and Bastoni rises high to power the header past Strakosha.

Albania are roared forward as Broja collects the ball and drives towards the box. He lays it off to Asani, whose ball in is put behind for a corner.

Asllani delivers to the near post, but Di Lorenzo heads away.

The goal was recorded after 23 seconds, which makes it the fastest goal in European Championship history.

Italy look a little shellshocked but they attack again, with Djimsiti making an important block from Chiesa’s shot.

Italy looked to equalise straight away, but Albaniamange to clear. It’s been a dream start for the side in red and black.

GOAL! An unbelievable start!

Dimarco’s throw-in is put into the Italy box but it runs straight to Nedim Bajram, who takes a touch and rifles it past Donnarumma at the near post!

KICK-OFF! We’re underway at the Westfalenstadion after rousing renditions of the respective anthems. There are an awful lot of Albania fans present.

The teams are out of the tunnel and the national anthems are underway. Just over five minutes until kick-off in Dortmund.

While many will be expecting a straightforward win for Italy tonight, Albania will put up a fight, backed by a fervent support.

They qualified top of their group, above the Czech Republic and Poland, and have several players who play in Serie A – such as Atalanta defender Djimsiti, Inter Milan midfielder Asslani and Sassuolo midfielder Nedim Bajrami – as well as on-loan Chelsea striker Armando Broja.

They have won two, lost two and drawn one of their last five games, including wins against Azerbaijan and Liechtenstein in warm-up games.

Tonight will be the fifth time Italy and Albania have met on the international stage, including twice in the qualifying campaign for the 2018 World Cup. Italy have won all four previous meetings.

The first meeting came in a friendly in 2014, with the Italians winning 1-0. Italy won 2-0 at home and 1-0 away in the 2017 qualifying campaign, and won again in another friendly in 2022, with Grifo and Di Lorenzo (2) getting the goals in a 3-1 win.