Match report

Albania Defeats Latvia 1-0 in World Cup Qualification

Albania
Albania
1–0
FT
Latvia
Latvia
Sep 9, 2025

Albania held on to a slim 1-0 victory over Latvia in a tense World Cup - Qualification Europe match. Kristjan Asllani's penalty in the 25th minute proved decisive as Albania secured a hard-fought win. Latvia struggled to find the equalizer and had to deal with several yellow cards, showing their frustration.

Key Facts

  • • Kristjan Asllani scored the only goal from a penalty in the 25th minute
  • • Latvia received three yellow cards: D. Šits, Raivis Andris Jurkovskis, and Antonijs Černomordijs
  • • Latvia made five substitutions, while Albania made four
  • • The match ended 1-0, with Albania securing a vital victory in their World Cup - Qualification Europe campaign

Lineups

Albania

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 1 T. Strakosha (G)
  • 4 E. Hysaj (D)
  • 5 A. Ajeti (D)
  • 6 B. Djimsiti (D)
  • 3 M. Mitaj (D)
  • 18 J. Shehu (M)
  • 8 K. Asllani (M)
  • 22 A. Broja (M)
  • 14 Q. Laci (M)
  • 10 N. Bajrami (M)
  • 7 R. Manaj (F)

Substitutes

  • 12 M. Dajsinani
  • 23 S. Simoni
  • 2 I. Balliu
  • 9 J. Asani
  • 11 A. Pajaziti
  • 13 N. Aliji
  • 15 M. Kumbulla
  • 16 M. Berisha
  • 17 C. Shpendi
  • 19 M. Daku
  • 20 E. Cokaj
  • 21 A. Hoxha

Latvia

Formation: 5-4-1

Starting XI

  • 1 K. Zviedris (G)
  • 13 R. Jurkovskis (D)
  • 21 D. Melniks (D)
  • 5 A. Cernomordijs (D)
  • 2 D. Balodis (D)
  • 14 A. Ciganiks (D)
  • 8 R. Varslavans (M)
  • 15 D. Zelenkovs (M)
  • 17 L. Vapne (M)
  • 7 E. Daskevics (M)
  • 18 D. Sits (F)

Substitutes

  • 12 F. Orols
  • 23 R. Matrevics
  • 3 V. Jagodinskis
  • 4 R. Veips
  • 6 K. Penkevics
  • 9 V. Gutkovskis
  • 10 B. Melnis
  • 11 R. Savalnieks
  • 16 A. Jaunzems
  • 19 M. Tonisevs
  • 20 M. Regza
  • 22 A. Saveljevs

Timeline

  1. Latvia
    15' Latvia Card · Yellow Card
    D. Šits

    Foul

  2. Albania
    25' Albania Goal · Penalty
    Kristjan Asllani
  3. Latvia
    27' Latvia Card · Yellow Card
    Raivis Andris Jurkovskis

    Foul

  4. Latvia
    46' Latvia subst · Substitution 1
    Off: D. Meļņiks · On: R. Savalnieks
  5. Latvia
    55' Latvia Card · Yellow Card
    Antonijs Černomordijs

    Foul

  6. Latvia
    61' Latvia subst · Substitution 2
    Off: E. Dašķevičs · On: V. Gutkovskis
  7. Latvia
    61' Latvia subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Lūkass Vapne · On: A. Saveļjevs
  8. Albania
    68' Albania subst · Substitution 1
    Off: N. Bajrami · On: A. Hoxha
  9. Latvia
    78' Latvia subst · Substitution 4
    Off: D. Šits · On: B. Melnis
  10. Albania
    82' Albania subst · Substitution 2
    Off: Qazim Laci · On: A. Pajaziti
  11. Albania
    82' Albania subst · Substitution 3
    Off: R. Manaj · On: M. Daku
  12. Latvia
    86' Latvia subst · Substitution 5
    Off: Raivis Andris Jurkovskis · On: M. Regza
  13. Albania
    90'+1 Albania subst · Substitution 4
    Off: A. Broja · On: M. Kumbulla

Match Stats

Stat Albania Latvia
Fouls 10 11
Pass Accuracy 93% 89%
Offsides 0 1
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 13 10
Corners 2 4
Total Passes 667 396
Yellow Cards 0 3
Blocked Shots 1 2
Shots on Target 3 2
xG 1.67 1.65
Shots off Target 9 6
Possession 62% 38%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 620 351
Shots Inside Box 7 9
Saves 1 2
Shots Outside Box 6 1

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Albania's penalty goal by Kristjan Asllani shifted the momentum in their favor, giving them a crucial lead early in the match
  • ▸ Latvia's inability to capitalize on their possession and multiple substitutions, including sending on Dainis Meičēns and Edgars Daševičs, failed to change the course of the game