Kosovo beat Slovakia 4-3 at the UEFA qualifying
The UEFA playoff continues this Thursday, March 26, 2026, with a crucial clash between Slovakia and Kosovo, kicking off at the Tehelné pole National Football Stadium in Bratislava, Slovakia.
Kosovo, has been one of the surprise teams in the qualifiers, finishing second in Group B with 11 points, thanks to three wins, two draws, and just one defeat, Switzerland.
Their last result was a 1-1 draw against Switzerland, reinforcing their reputation as a competitive side capable of challenging stronger opponents.
Meanwhile, Kosovo arrives ranked 79th in the world but has been one of the better stories of UEFA qualifying, going unbeaten in its last five matches with just one loss in its last 15.
Striker Vedat Muriqi leads the attack for Kosovo after a strong La Liga season with Real Mallorca, and the squad finished second in Group B with 11 points from three wins, two draws, and one loss.
Slovakia took a sixth minute lead as fullback Martin Valjent headed home from a corner but Kosovo equalised with their first effort on goal via a smart finish on the turn by Veldin Hodza.
Slovakia, whose only previous World Cup appearance was in 2010, were back ahead on the stroke of halftime as Lukas Haraslin’s free kick from out on the left wing evaded everyone to creep into the goal.
Kosovo to pull level again with Fisnik Asllani before Florent Muslija’s free kick crept in at the near post to see them go ahead 3-2 on the hour mark.
Kreshnik Hajrizi crashed home Kosovo’s fourth from point blank range, snapping up a loose ball in the 72nd minute and they kept the hosts at bay until four minutes into stoppage time when David Strelec handed Slovakia a brief glimmer of hope before the final whistle confirmed their elimination.
Score Summary
Kosovo
V. Hodža 21′
F. Asllani 47′
F. Muslija 60′
K. Hajrizi 72′
Slovakia
M. Valjent 6′
L. Haraslín 45′
D. Strelec 90+4
