A 43rd minute goal from Armando Sadiku was Albania’s first of the tournament and helped the team to their first ever win in a major tournament.
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After losing their opening two matches against Switzerland and France respectively, the three points they earned against Romania has seen them shoot into one of the qualifying places for the second round.
However, if the Republic of Ireland beat the nation of De Biasi’s birth on Wednesday, they will have four points to Albania’s three, as would Sweden if they beat Belgium.
Ledian Memushaj shot straight at Ciprian Tatarusanu from a narrow angle, but the Romania goalkeeper was at fault as Sadiku nodded Albania ahead just before half-time.
Not many coaches are decorated with state honours for their work but Gianni De Biasi managed it for steering Albania into the uncharted waters of successful qualification for the European Championship finals in France. While the national league has tried in vain to grow, more than 200 Albanians now play as professionals in other European leagues.
Having gone to such lengths to reach their first global tournament, there was deflation at how the Euros had unfolded against Switzerland and France but also a clear determination to make their mark at the third attempt.
Albania’s players celebrated the historic victory with Italian coach Giovanni De Biasi after the final whistle, while the team’s large contingent of fans cheered wildly at the Stade de Lyon.
Albania has come a long way since the end of the 1980s when – under the totalitarian regime of Enver Hoxha – it was one of the world’s most isolated states.
Albania faced additional charges for “field invasion” during their group stage match against Romania.
Romania 0-0 Albania Romania have made the better start to the match, with strikes from Ovidiu Hoban and Bogdan Stancu already stinging the palms of Etrit Berisha.
The Tricolorii hunted for an equaliser deep into the encounter but couldn’t find the goal they desired after a poor first half from their players.
It was supposed to be Romania’s moment to achieve a milestone in Lyon on Sunday, but they did not reckon with the unexpected intervention of frenzied, inspired underdogs Albania, who instead claimed their own place in the history books.
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Armando Sadiku wrote his name into Albanian football folklore, as he headed home after 43 minutes to shock a lacklustre Romanian team.
