Match report

Kosovo Hold Off Switzerland to Secure 1-1 Draw in World Cup Qualification

Kosovo
Kosovo
1–1
FT
Switzerland
Switzerland
Nov 18, 2025

Kosovo secured a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Switzerland in their World Cup Qualification match on 2025-11-18. The draw was crucial for both teams as they vie for a spot in the tournament. R. Vargas put Switzerland ahead early in the second half, but F. Muslija equalized for Kosovo with a well-placed shot. Both teams showed resilience and determination throughout the match, with Kosovo managing to hold off the Swiss despite several changes in the lineup.

Key Facts

  • • R. Vargas scored the opening goal for Switzerland in the 47th minute.
  • • F. Muslija equalized for Kosovo in the 74th minute.
  • • Amir Rrahmani received a yellow card in the 10th minute for a foul.
  • • E. Rexhbecaj was shown a yellow card in injury time.
  • • Kosovo made several substitutions throughout the match, including F. Asllani and V. Hodža in the 62nd minute.

Lineups

Kosovo

Formation: 5-3-2

Starting XI

  • 1 A. Muric (G)
  • 15 M. Vojvoda (D)
  • 5 L. Dellova (D)
  • 13 A. Rrahmani (D)
  • 3 F. Aliti (D)
  • 19 D. Gallapeni (D)
  • 20 V. Hodza (M)
  • 6 E. Rexhbecaj (M)
  • 8 F. Muslija (M)
  • 11 F. Asllani (F)
  • 18 V. Muriqi (F)

Substitutes

  • 12 V. Bekaj
  • 16 A. Saipi
  • 2 K. Hajrizi
  • 4 I. Krasniqi
  • 7 M. Rashica
  • 9 A. Rrahmani
  • 10 E. Zhegrova
  • 14 V. Berisha
  • 17 E. Krasniqi
  • 21 L. Emerllahu
  • 22 M. Jashari
  • 23 B. Zabergja

Switzerland

Formation: 4-3-3

Starting XI

  • 1 G. Kobel (G)
  • 3 S. Widmer (D)
  • 4 N. Elvedi (D)
  • 5 M. Akanji (D)
  • 13 R. Rodriguez (D)
  • 20 M. Aebischer (M)
  • 10 G. Xhaka (M)
  • 15 D. Sow (M)
  • 9 J. Manzambi (F)
  • 7 B. Embolo (F)
  • 17 R. Vargas (F)

Substitutes

  • 12 Y. Mvogo
  • 21 M. Keller
  • 2 M. Muheim
  • 6 B. Omeragic
  • 8 S. Sohm
  • 11 D. Ndoye
  • 14 A. Zeqiri
  • 16 C. Fassnacht
  • 18 A. Amenda
  • 19 A. Bajrami
  • 22 F. Rieder
  • 23 I. Schmidt

Timeline

  1. Kosovo
    10' Kosovo Card · Yellow Card
    Amir Rrahmani

    Foul

  2. Switzerland
    47' Switzerland Goal · Normal Goal
    R. Vargas · Assist: Djibril Sow
  3. Kosovo
    62' Kosovo subst · Substitution 1
    Off: F. Asllani · On: E. Zhegrova
  4. Kosovo
    62' Kosovo subst · Substitution 2
    Off: V. Hodža · On: B. Zabergja
  5. Switzerland
    69' Switzerland subst · Substitution 1
    Off: B. Embolo · On: A. Zeqiri
  6. Switzerland
    69' Switzerland subst · Substitution 2
    Off: R. Vargas · On: F. Rieder
  7. Kosovo
    71' Kosovo subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Amir Rrahmani · On: Ilir Krasniqi
  8. Kosovo
    74' Kosovo Goal · Normal Goal
    F. Muslija
  9. Switzerland
    75' Switzerland subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Granit Xhaka · On: Simon Sohm
  10. Switzerland
    75' Switzerland subst · Substitution 4
    Off: S. Widmer · On: I. Schmidt
  11. Kosovo
    86' Kosovo subst · Substitution 4
    Off: Vedat Muriqi · On: A. Rrahmani
  12. Kosovo
    86' Kosovo subst · Substitution 5
    Off: F. Muslija · On: Valon Berisha
  13. Switzerland
    89' Switzerland subst · Substitution 5
    Off: Djibril Sow · On: C. Fassnacht
  14. Kosovo
    90'+4 Kosovo Card · Yellow Card
    E. Rexhbecaj

    Foul

Match Stats

Stat Kosovo Switzerland
Fouls 9 9
Pass Accuracy 88% 87%
Offsides 1 1
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 11 6
Corners 3 1
Total Passes 451 526
Yellow Cards 2 0
Blocked Shots 4 1
Shots on Target 4 3
xG 0.50 0.48
Shots off Target 3 2
Possession 47% 53%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 398 458
Shots Inside Box 5 5
Saves 2 3
Shots Outside Box 6 1

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ R. Vargas's goal in the 47th minute gave Switzerland a crucial lead, putting pressure on Kosovo.
  • ▸ F. Muslija's equalizer in the 74th minute shifted the momentum back to Kosovo, securing a much-needed draw.