Match report

Kosovo Holds Off Slovenia in World Cup Qualification Draw

Kosovo
Kosovo
0–0
FT
Slovenia
Slovenia
Oct 10, 2025

Kosovo managed to hold off Slovenia in a closely contested World Cup Qualification match that ended in a 0-0 draw. Both teams fought hard, with key substitutions and yellow cards marking the game. Kosovo's early defensive resilience proved crucial, as did Slovenia's later attempts to break through, but neither side could find the back of the net.

Key Facts

  • • Final score: Kosovo 0–0 Slovenia
  • • Slovenia's S. Šesar and T. Elsnik received yellow cards at 20 and 46 minutes, respectively
  • • Kosovo's Fidan Aliti and L. Avdullahu received yellow cards at 48 and 79 minutes, respectively
  • • Key substitutions: Kosovo's E. Rexhbecaj replaced Valon Berisha at 50 minutes, and Slovenia's N. Gradišar replaced Z. Vipotnik at 63 minutes

Lineups

Kosovo

Formation: 5-4-1

Starting XI

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

Substitutes

  • 12 V. Bekaj
  • 16 A. Saipi
  • 2 K. Hajrizi
  • 7 M. Rashica
  • 10 E. Zhegrova
  • 11 F. Asllani
  • 14 V. Berisha
  • 17 E. Krasniqi
  • 19 L. Sadriu
  • 20 V. Hodza
  • 21 M. Korenica
  • 22 M. Jashari

Slovenia

Formation: 3-1-4-2

Starting XI

  • 1 J. Oblak (G)
  • 23 D. Brekalo (D)
  • 6 J. Bijol (D)
  • 21 V. Drkusic (D)
  • 10 T. Elsnik (M)
  • 20 P. Stojanovic (M)
  • 22 A. Gnezda Cerin (M)
  • 7 S. Seslar (M)
  • 2 Z. Karnicnik (M)
  • 9 N. Gradisar (F)
  • 11 B. Sesko (F)

Substitutes

  • 12 Z. Leban
  • 16 I. Vekic
  • 3 J. Balkovec
  • 4 D. Petrovic
  • 5 J. Gorenc Stankovic
  • 8 S. Lovric
  • 13 E. Janza
  • 14 B. Kramer
  • 15 D. Sturm
  • 17 D. Zec
  • 18 Z. Vipotnik
  • 19 T. Horvat

Timeline

  1. Slovenia
    20' Slovenia Card · Yellow Card
    S. Sešlar

    Foul

  2. Slovenia
    46' Slovenia Card · Yellow Card
    T. Elsnik

    Foul

  3. Kosovo
    48' Kosovo Card · Yellow Card
    Fidan Aliti

    Foul

  4. Kosovo
    50' Kosovo subst · Substitution 1
    Off: E. Rexhbecaj · On: Valon Berisha
  5. Slovenia
    63' Slovenia subst · Substitution 1
    Off: N. Gradišar · On: Z. Vipotnik
  6. Slovenia
    71' Slovenia subst · Substitution 2
    Off: P. Stojanovic · On: Erik Janža
  7. Slovenia
    71' Slovenia subst · Substitution 3
    Off: S. Sešlar · On: Tomi Horvat
  8. Kosovo
    77' Kosovo subst · Substitution 2
    Off: A. Rrahmani · On: M. Rashica
  9. Kosovo
    77' Kosovo subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Vedat Muriqi · On: F. Asllani
  10. Kosovo
    79' Kosovo Card · Yellow Card
    L. Avdullahu

    Foul

  11. Kosovo
    88' Kosovo subst · Substitution 4
    Off: F. Muslija · On: E. Zhegrova
  12. Kosovo
    88' Kosovo subst · Substitution 5
    Off: D. Gallapeni · On: L. Sadriu

Match Stats

Stat Kosovo Slovenia
Fouls 10 12
Pass Accuracy 81% 87%
Offsides 0 1
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 5 11
Corners 2 4
Total Passes 364 582
Yellow Cards 2 2
Blocked Shots 2 6
Shots on Target 0 2
xG 0.54 0.92
Shots off Target 3 3
Possession 39% 61%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 295 508
Shots Inside Box 4 9
Saves 2 0
Shots Outside Box 1 2

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Kosovo's early defensive resilience helped them hold off Slovenia's early pressure, with both teams trading yellow cards in the first half
  • ▸ Slovenia made key substitutions in the second half with N. Gradišar and P. Stojanovic coming on, but Kosovo's substitutions of A. Rrahmani and Vedat Muriqi helped maintain the defensive solidity needed to keep the game scoreless