Croatia's supporters have enjoyed a string of successes in recent times, yet they might question if the team that appears in the European Championships is akin to their triumphant World Cup squad. Croatia's prospects for Euro 2024 dimmed after a lackluster performance against Albania, resulting in a 2-2 draw. For a fleeting period in the second half, they mirrored the prowess of the 2018 World Cup finalists and the 2022 semifinalists. However, for most of the match, they resembled the Croatia that has never advanced beyond the Euro quarterfinals, exiting in the last 16 in the past two tournaments. Following a 3-0 loss to Spain in their opening match, Croatia required a strong start but instead fell behind early. Their possession-heavy strategy proved ineffective, as seen in their previous match against Spain. Albania's defensive tactics initially stifled Croatia, but substitutions revitalized the team, leading to a comeback. Despite taking the lead, Croatia's defensive lapses allowed Albania to equalize late. This pattern echoes Croatia's past Euro performances, where late goals and penalties have thwarted their progress. Now, Croatia must likely defeat Italy to progress. Fans hope the World Cup team, not the Euro underachievers, shows up in their crucial match.