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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.

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Portugal midfielder Joao Moutinho with the ball against Germany in their Euro 2012 match on June 9, 2012
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Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Germany Germany00000
2 Hungary Hungary00000
3 Scotland flag Scotland00000
4 Switzerland Switzerland00000

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Albania national flag Albania00000
2 Croatia Croatia00000
3 Italy Italy00000
4 Spain Spain00000

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Denmark Denmark00000
2 England flag England00000
3 Serbia Serbia00000
4 Slovenia Slovenia00000

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Austria Austria00000
2 France France00000
3 Netherlands Netherlands00000
4 Poland Poland00000

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Belgium Belgium00000
2 Romania Romania00000
3 Slovakia Slovakia00000
4 Ukraine Ukraine00000

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Czech Republic Czech Republic00000
2 Georgia Georgia00000
3 Portugal Portugal00000
4 Turkey Turkey00000


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