Match report

Kosovo Stuns Slovakia 4-3 in World Cup Qualification

Slovakia
Slovakia
3–4
FT
Kosovo
Kosovo
Mar 26, 2026

Kosovo stunned Slovakia with a 4-3 victory in a high-intensity World Cup Qualification match, turning the game around with a late surge. Slovakia took the early lead through Martin Valjent, but Kosovo, bolstered by the goals of Veton Hodža and Fatos Beqiraj, secured a memorable win.

Key Facts

  • • Slovakia 3–4 Kosovo
  • • Martin Valjent opened the scoring for Slovakia in the 6th minute
  • • Veton Hodža and Fatos Asllani scored for Kosovo, turning the tide
  • • Dusan Strelec scored Slovakia's third goal in the 90th minute
  • • Kosovo secured the win with goals from Kujtim Hajrizi and Fadil Muslija

Lineups

Slovakia

Formation: 3-4-2-1

Starting XI

  • 1 M. Dubravka (G)
  • 4 M. Valjent (D)
  • 3 D. Vavro (D)
  • 5 A. Obert (D)
  • 21 M. Bero (M)
  • 22 S. Lobotka (M)
  • 8 O. Duda (M)
  • 16 D. Hancko (M)
  • 18 L. Sauer (F)
  • 17 L. Haraslin (F)
  • 15 D. Strelec (F)

Substitutes

  • 12 M. Rodak
  • 23 D. Takac
  • 2 P. Pekarik
  • 6 N. Gyomber
  • 9 S. Mraz
  • 13 P. Hrosovsky
  • 10 L. Benes
  • 11 L. Tupta
  • 7 T. Suslov
  • 20 A. Kapralik
  • 19 T. Rigo
  • 14 D. Krcik

Kosovo

Formation: 5-3-2

Starting XI

  • 1 A. Muric (G)
  • 15 M. Vojvoda (D)
  • 5 L. Dellova (D)
  • 13 K. Hajrizi (D)
  • 21 A. Hajdari (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
  • 14 V. Berisha
  • 7 M. Rashica
  • 2 F. Hadergjonaj
  • 4 I. Krasniqi
  • 17 E. Krasniqi
  • 23 B. Zabergja
  • 22 L. Emerllahu
  • 3 F. Aliti
  • 10 E. Zhegrova
  • 9 A. Rrahmani

Timeline

  1. Slovakia
    6' Slovakia Goal · Normal Goal
    Martin Valjent · Assist: L. Haraslín
  2. Kosovo
    14' Kosovo Card · Yellow Card
    K. Hajrizi

    Foul

  3. Kosovo
    21' Kosovo Goal · Normal Goal
    V. Hodža · Assist: Mërgim Vojvoda
  4. Kosovo
    25' Kosovo Card · Yellow Card
    Lumbardh Dellova

    Foul

  5. Slovakia
    45' Slovakia subst · Substitution 1
    Off: L. Sauer · On: T. Suslov
  6. Slovakia
    45' Slovakia Goal · Normal Goal
    L. Haraslín
  7. Kosovo
    47' Kosovo Goal · Normal Goal
    F. Asllani · Assist: Mërgim Vojvoda
  8. Kosovo
    51' Kosovo Card · Yellow Card
    V. Hodža

    Foul

  9. Kosovo
    60' Kosovo Goal · Normal Goal
    F. Muslija
  10. Kosovo
    72' Kosovo Goal · Normal Goal
    K. Hajrizi
  11. Kosovo
    73' Kosovo subst · Substitution 1
    Off: F. Asllani · On: B. Zabergja
  12. Slovakia
    83' Slovakia subst · Substitution 2
    Off: O. Duda · On: L. Bénes
  13. Slovakia
    83' Slovakia subst · Substitution 3
    Off: L. Haraslín · On: Ľ. Tupta
  14. Slovakia
    89' Slovakia Card · Yellow Card
    D. Vavro

    Foul

  15. Slovakia
    90'+5 Slovakia Card · Yellow Card
    Martin Valjent

    Foul

  16. Kosovo
    90' Kosovo subst · Substitution 4
    Off: Vedat Muriqi · On: A. Rrahmani
  17. Kosovo
    90' Kosovo subst · Substitution 2
    Off: F. Muslija · On: F. Hadergjonaj
  18. Kosovo
    90' Kosovo subst · Substitution 3
    Off: V. Hodža · On: Lindon Emërllahu
  19. Slovakia
    90' Slovakia Goal · Normal Goal
    D. Strelec · Assist: D. Hancko

Match Stats

Stat Slovakia Kosovo
Fouls 14 16
Pass Accuracy 85% 74%
Offsides 0 2
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 20 9
Corners 7 3
Total Passes 441 324
Yellow Cards 2 3
Blocked Shots 7 2
Shots on Target 8 5
xG — —
Shots off Target 5 2
Possession 57% 43%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 374 241
Shots Inside Box 13 6
Saves 2 5
Shots Outside Box 7 3

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Kosovo's early equalizer by Veton Hodža in the 21st minute marked a pivotal shift in momentum
  • ▸ Fatos Muslija's goal in the 60th minute solidified Kosovo's comeback, setting the stage for their dramatic victory