Match report

Kosovo Defeats Sweden 2-0 in World Cup Qualification Europe

Kosovo
Kosovo
2–0
FT
Sweden
Sweden
Sep 8, 2025

Kosovo stunned the more favored Sweden with a 2-0 victory in their World Cup Qualification Europe match, thanks to goals from E. Rexhbecaj and Vedat Muriqi. The victory was a significant boost for Kosovo, who dominated the second half despite playing most of the game with ten men after Lindon Embrllahu was sent off in injury time.

Key Facts

  • • Final Score: Kosovo 2–0 Sweden
  • • E. Rexhbecaj scored the first goal in the 26th minute
  • • Vedat Muriqi secured the win with a goal in the 42nd minute, assisted by A. Rrahmani
  • • Lindon Embrllahu was sent off with a red card in injury time for a handball

Lineups

Kosovo

Formation: 5-4-1

Starting XI

  • 1 A. Muric (G)
  • 15 M. Vojvoda (D)
  • 4 I. Krasniqi (D)
  • 5 L. Dellova (D)
  • 3 F. Aliti (D)
  • 2 D. Gallapeni (D)
  • 8 F. Muslija (M)
  • 10 L. Avdullahu (M)
  • 6 E. Rexhbecaj (M)
  • 9 A. Rrahmani (M)
  • 18 V. Muriqi (F)

Substitutes

  • 12 V. Bekaj
  • 16 A. Saipi
  • 11 F. Asllani
  • 13 F. Haxha
  • 17 E. Krasniqi
  • 19 L. Emerllahu
  • 20 V. Hodza
  • 21 M. Korenica
  • 22 M. Jashari
  • 23 L. Paqarada

Sweden

Formation: 3-5-2

Starting XI

  • 1 R. Olsen (G)
  • 3 H. Ekdal (D)
  • 4 I. Hien (D)
  • 5 G. Gudmundsson (D)
  • 21 A. Bernhardsson (M)
  • 20 H. Larsson (M)
  • 14 A. Saletros (M)
  • 18 Y. Ayari (M)
  • 8 D. Svensson (M)
  • 11 A. Elanga (F)
  • 17 V. Gyökeres (F)

Substitutes

  • 12 V. Johansson
  • 23 K. Nordfeldt
  • 2 E. Krafth
  • 6 S. Dahl
  • 7 L. Bergvall
  • 9 A. Isak
  • 10 B. Nygren
  • 13 K. Sema
  • 15 J. Larsson
  • 16 J. Karlstrom
  • 19 A. Noren
  • 22 S. Nanasi

Timeline

  1. Kosovo
    26' Kosovo Goal · Normal Goal
    E. Rexhbecaj
  2. Kosovo
    42' Kosovo Goal · Normal Goal
    Vedat Muriqi · Assist: A. Rrahmani
  3. Sweden
    46' Sweden subst · Substitution 1
    Off: D. Svensson · On: K. Sema
  4. Sweden
    46' Sweden subst · Substitution 2
    Off: H. Larsson · On: S. Nanasi
  5. Sweden
    47' Sweden Card · Yellow Card
    Alexander Bernhardsson

    Foul

  6. Kosovo
    59' Kosovo subst · Substitution 1
    Off: Vedat Muriqi · On: F. Asllani
  7. Kosovo
    60' Kosovo subst · Substitution 2
    Off: A. Rrahmani · On: M. Jashari
  8. Sweden
    62' Sweden subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Alexander Bernhardsson · On: B. Nygren
  9. Sweden
    66' Sweden subst · Substitution 4
    Off: H. Ekdal · On: E. Krafth
  10. Sweden
    72' Sweden subst · Substitution 5
    Off: A. Elanga · On: A. Isak
  11. Sweden
    81' Sweden Card · Yellow Card
    A. Isak

    Argument

  12. Sweden
    83' Sweden Card · Yellow Card
    E. Krafth

    Foul

  13. Kosovo
    85' Kosovo subst · Substitution 3
    Off: E. Rexhbecaj · On: Lindon Emërllahu
  14. Kosovo
    86' Kosovo Card · Yellow Card
    Lindon Emërllahu

    Foul

  15. Kosovo
    90'+1 Kosovo Card · Red Card
    Lindon Emërllahu

    Handball

  16. Kosovo
    90'+2 Kosovo subst · Substitution 4
    Off: F. Muslija · On: V. Hodža
  17. Sweden
    90'+4 Sweden Card · Yellow Card
    A. Salétros

    Foul

Match Stats

Stat Kosovo Sweden
Fouls 13 12
Pass Accuracy 66% 84%
Offsides 3 3
Red Cards 1 0
Total Shots 11 14
Corners 1 5
Total Passes 299 626
Yellow Cards 5 4
Blocked Shots 1 4
Shots on Target 5 5
xG 1.68 0.60
Shots off Target 5 5
Possession 32% 68%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 198 527
Shots Inside Box 7 9
Saves 5 3
Shots Outside Box 4 5

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Kosovo capitalized on their early lead, with E. Rexhbecaj scoring in the 26th minute, setting the tone for their victory.
  • ▸ The second goal by Vedat Muriqi in the 42nd minute effectively sealed the game, even as Sweden made several substitutions to try and reverse the momentum.