Match report

Albania Stuns Serbia 1-0 in World Cup Qualification

Serbia
Serbia
0–1
FT
Albania
Albania
Oct 11, 2025

Albania stunned Serbia with a 1-0 victory in a crucial World Cup Qualification Europe match. R. Manaj scored the only goal of the game, assisted by Arlind Ajeti, in the 45th minute. Despite several late substitutions and yellow cards, Serbia was unable to find an equalizer, leaving them disappointed at the final whistle.

Key Facts

  • • Final score: Serbia 0-1 Albania
  • • Goal: R. Manaj (45') - Assist: Arlind Ajeti
  • • Yellow cards: J. Shehu (42'), R. Manaj (45+2), Miloš Veljković (85'), Mario Mitaj (90')

Lineups

Serbia

Formation: 3-4-1-2

Starting XI

  • 12 D. Petrovic (G)
  • 4 V. Milosavljevic (D)
  • 13 M. Veljkovic (D)
  • 3 S. Pavlovic (D)
  • 14 A. Zivkovic (M)
  • 7 A. Stankovic (M)
  • 5 N. Maksimovic (M)
  • 11 F. Kostic (M)
  • 10 L. Samardzic (F)
  • 23 D. Vlahovic (F)
  • 9 A. Mitrovic (F)

Substitutes

  • 21 D. Rosic
  • 2 V. Dragojevic
  • 6 O. Ugresic
  • 8 L. Jovic
  • 15 J. Simic
  • 16 S. Erakovic
  • 17 D. Zukic
  • 18 A. Ilic
  • 19 L. Randjelovic
  • 20 V. Kostov
  • 22 S. Mitrovic
  • 1 P. Rajkovic

Albania

Formation: 4-3-3

Starting XI

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

Substitutes

  • 12 M. Dajsinani
  • 23 S. Simoni
  • 2 I. Balliu
  • 9 J. Asani
  • 10 N. Bajrami
  • 13 E. Mihaj
  • 15 K. Cake
  • 16 M. Berisha
  • 17 N. Aliji
  • 19 M. Daku
  • 20 Y. Ramadani
  • 21 A. Hoxha

Timeline

  1. Albania
    42' Albania Card · Yellow Card
    J. Shehu

    Foul

  2. Albania
    45'+2 Albania Card · Yellow Card
    R. Manaj
  3. Albania
    45' Albania Goal · Normal Goal
    R. Manaj · Assist: Arlind Ajeti
  4. Albania
    63' Albania subst · Substitution 1
    Off: A. Broja · On: A. Hoxha
  5. Serbia
    63' Serbia subst · Substitution 2
    Off: Andrija Živković · On: S. Mitrovic
  6. Serbia
    75' Serbia subst · Substitution 3
    Off: N. Maksimović · On: D. Zukic
  7. Serbia
    75' Serbia subst · Substitution 4
    Off: L. Samardzic · On: V. Kostov
  8. Albania
    78' Albania subst · Substitution 2
    Off: Qazim Laci · On: N. Bajrami
  9. Albania
    78' Albania subst · Substitution 3
    Off: R. Manaj · On: M. Daku
  10. Serbia
    84' Serbia subst · Substitution 5
    Off: A. Stankovic · On: A. Ilic
  11. Serbia
    85' Serbia Card · Yellow Card
    Miloš Veljković

    Foul

  12. Albania
    90'+3 Albania subst · Substitution 4
    Off: M. Uzuni · On: Enea Mihaj
  13. Albania
    90' Albania Card · Yellow Card
    Mario Mitaj

    Argument

Match Stats

Stat Serbia Albania
Fouls 19 14
Pass Accuracy 82% 78%
Offsides — —
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 15 5
Corners 4 2
Total Passes 441 379
Yellow Cards 2 3
Blocked Shots 3 0
Shots on Target 6 3
xG 1.24 0.54
Shots off Target 6 2
Possession 55% 45%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 361 294
Shots Inside Box 9 3
Saves 2 6
Shots Outside Box 6 2

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ R. Manaj's goal in the 45th minute shifted the momentum in Albania's favor, giving them a vital lead going into halftime.
  • ▸ Serbia's inability to capitalize on late substitutions, including Andrija Šivković and Aleksandar Stankovic, left them short-handed as they pushed for an equalizer.