Kosovo National Team

Match report

Kosovo claimed a narrow victory over Republic of Ireland in their UEFA Nations League League B meeting at the beginning of September 2026. The hosts held on for a 1-0 win in a match decided by a single moment of quality. By then the game had settled into a rhythm both sides seemed comfortable with.

The visitors carried more urgency early on, though they struggled to find clear openings. Jayson Molumby picked up a booking in the 66th minute, followed shortly by James Abankwah at 68. And here's the thing — those cards came when Ireland pushed forward, searching for something to change the complexion of the game.

The decisive moment arrived in the 83rd minute when Vedat Muriqi found space to fire past the goalkeeper. The goal came after a period of sustained pressure from Kosovo, who had been working the ball into dangerous areas. Ireland's defenders were caught flat-footed in the penalty area, and Muriqi made no mistake with his finish.

Both managers reshuffled their units in the closing stages. Kosovo brought on Edon Zhegrova and Baton Zabergja at 73, while Troy Parrott and James Abankwah came off for Ireland at 80. Muriqi himself was replaced at 88, along with John Egan and Liam Scales for the visitors — a sign that both coaches were managing freshness in the final quarter.

The statistics told a story of dominance without conversion. Kosovo held 57 per cent possession and registered 16 shots within the penalty area compared to Ireland's 3. They mustered 8 shots on target but could only convert one. Ireland's goalkeeper made 5 saves from just 1 attempt on target — a reflection of how few genuine chances they offered.

Prepared from match data

Key numbers

Possession, % 57.00 – 43

Shots on target 8 – 1

Shots off target 8 – 2

Corners 1 – 0

⇄ 61' Chiedozie Ogbene — Substitution 🟨 66' Jayson Molumby — Yellow card 🟨 68' James Abankwah — Yellow card ⇄ 73' Edon Zhegrova — Substitution ⇄ 73' Baton Zabergja — Substitution ⇄ 80' Troy Parrott — Substitution ⇄ 80' James Abankwah — Substitution ⚽ 83' Vedat Muriqi — Goal ⇄ 87' Veldin Hodza — Substitution ⇄ 88' Vedat Muriqi — Substitution ⇄ 88' John Egan — Substitution ⇄ 88' Liam Scales — Substitution

Match events

61' 0:0 Republic of Ireland Substitution Chiedozie Ogbene off: Jack Moylan
66' 0:0 Republic of Ireland Yellow card Jayson Molumby
68' 0:0 Republic of Ireland Yellow card James Abankwah
73' 0:0 Kosovo National Team Substitution Edon Zhegrova off: Ermal Krasniqi
73' 0:0 Kosovo National Team Substitution Baton Zabergja off: Milot Rashica
80' 0:0 Republic of Ireland Substitution Troy Parrott off: Adam Idah
80' 0:0 Republic of Ireland Substitution James Abankwah off: Conor Coventry
83' 1:0 Kosovo National Team Goal Vedat Muriqi
87' 1:0 Kosovo National Team Substitution Veldin Hodza off: Erblin Osmani
88' 1:0 Kosovo National Team Substitution Vedat Muriqi off: Fisnik Asllani
88' 1:0 Republic of Ireland Substitution John Egan off: Owen Elding
88' 1:0 Republic of Ireland Substitution Liam Scales off: Ryan Manning

Statistics

57.00 Possession, % 43

8 Shots on target 1

8 Shots off target 2

1 Corners 0

12 Fouls 15

2 Offsides 0

0 Yellow cards 2

0 Red cards 0

All statistics

6 Blocked shots 0

90 Failed passes 87

1 Goalkeeper saves 5

0.36 Shot accuracy 0

6 Shots from outside the box 0

16 Shots inside the box 3

499 Total passes 380

Line-ups

Starting XI
#	Player	number
1	Arijanet Murić	1
4	Ilir Krasniqi	4
5	Lumbardh Dellova	5
13	Dion Gallapeni	13
15	Mërgim Vojvoda	15
21	Albian Hajdari	21
10	Edon Zhegrova	10
14	Baton Zabërgja	14
20	Veldin Hodža	20
23	L. Avdullahu	23
18	Vedat Muriqi	18

Substitutes
#	Player	number
12	Visar Bekaj	12
16	Amir Saipi	16
2	Ron Ratsi	2
3	Milot Avdyli	3
7	Milot Rashica	7
8	Valmir Matošić	8
19	Dion Kacuri	19
22	Muharrem Jashari	22
9	Albion Rrahmani	9
11	Fisnik Asllani	11
17	Ermal Krasniqi	17

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Republic of Ireland

Starting XI
#	Player	number
1	Caoimhin Kelleher	1
2	James Bright Adusei Abankwah	2
4	Dara Joseph O'Shea	4
15	John Egan	15
3	Liam Scales	3
5	Jake O'Brien	5
6	Jayson Patrick Molumby	6
8	Jason Knight	8
11	Finn Azaz	11
20	Chiedozie Ogbene	20
7	Troy Parrott	7

Substitutes
#	Player	number
16	Gavin Bazunu	16
23	Max O'Leary	23
12	Liam Kitching	12
13	Joel Matthew Bagan	13
18	Ryan Manning	18
14	Conor Coventry	14
17	Jack Moylan	17
22	Killian Phillips	22
9	Thomas Cannon	9
10	Adam Uche Idah	10
19	Owen Elding	19
21	Rocco Vata	21

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Match prediction: Kosovo National Team — Republic of Ireland

Win: Republic of Ireland

Confidence 40%

Reasoning

Косово, last 5 games: 2 wins, 1 draws, 2 losses
Республика Ирландия, last 5 games: 2 wins, 3 draws, 0 losses

Full prediction

Analytical content. Not a call to gamble. 18+

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