Rey Manaj scored a super goal, celebrated with an eagle and made all Albanians around the world celebrate.
With Manaj's goal, Albania has scored one of the biggest victories in history. They have defeated Serbia in Leskovac with a score of 1:0, for a big step towards the playoffs of the 2026 World Cup qualifications.
The match was played in the small stadium of Leskovac. But the Albanian celebration was huge.
In the second minute of extra time of the first half, after a free kick, the ball came to Arlind Ajeti. He missed the ball, but in a way assisted for Manaj. Manaj shot beautifully and sent the ball into the net. He ran towards the bench of the Albanian reserves, while celebrating by forming the figure of a double-headed eagle. All the players and coaches joined in the celebration.
The first half, but also the entire match, ended with a score of 1:0.
Albania now has 11 points in second place in Group K of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Serbia remains in third place with seven points, despite having played one less game. The victory in Leskovac means Albania is very close to second place in the group, which ensures the play-offs.
The match in Leskovac was considered the final for second place. The pressure was great, but it was better managed by the Rossoneri.
The home team dominated the field in the first half. However, it was Albania that scored the goal.
Meanwhile, in the second half, the Albanian players dominated for a long time. In the last minutes, the Serbs had several chances, but without making any concrete use of them. And the fiery celebration was all for the Albanians.
There were chants of “Kosovo, Serbia” and “Kosovo is the heart of Serbia.” When the goal was scored and the Manaj eagle appeared, there were also chants of “drown, drown the Albanian.”
The insults were often heard, but they only motivated the players selected by Sylvinho. They will go down in history as the authors of one of the most beloved victories for all Albanians.
The Duke speaks after the victory over Serbia
Armand Duke
President of the Albanian Football Federation, Armand Duka:
After the game ends, you realize you're in the throes of celebration. You don't remember what you said. We celebrated with the people we had close to us and with the team.
A very good result. Sportingly important and necessary, it keeps us in the race for our dream.
We have the right to celebrate. The boys gave their all. When you win it seems like nothing was done wrong. We have the right to celebrate and then think about the future.
The organization was fantastic. The Serbian Federation received positive marks. We agreed to change the venue and I am happy that in a way this is a positive step in the negative stories that have been created in our confrontations.
The Serbian Federation had an obligation to organize this, as we organized it very well in Elbasan and Tirana.
Very nice victory. We were excited until the end. The team did not doubt the victory. We had opportunities for the second goal and the game was managed very well. The dedication was maximum. Very nice victory.
A winning team is not discussed, a winning coach is not changed.
The referee tonight was one of the best in Europe. It was a correct judgment, but there was no extraordinary pressure from the players on the pitch for him to make a mistake.
Serbian coach: I have offered my resignation
Serbia is mourning the loss to Albania. The resignation of coach Dragan Stojkovic is being demanded, while he has announced that he has offered it.
"I talked. I offered my resignation. I did not expect this loss. And that with the team that we have as a direct rival for second place. I am someone who takes responsibility. I am not guilty. Don't worry, I am sorry that we lost. That is how it is in sports, in life and in football," Stojkovic said at a press conference.
He said that he bears responsibility, while emphasizing that players should not be criticized.
Rey Manaj: It doesn't matter who played, but that Albania won
Photo: Associated Press
Striker Rey Manaj:
One of the most beautiful days of my life. After the first match with Serbia, I didn't deserve some comments. We have families, parents, sisters. But I forgot about them. It's important that all of Albania, all of Kosovo are proud of the dogs.
Now we have two more games and we need to see money.
In the first half, I took a hit to the knee.
Daku also deserved to play from the start, like everyone else.
It doesn't matter who played, but that Albania won the three points.
I tell everyone to enjoy this moment. 11 years ago we played Serbia. Tonight we beat them at home. We should all enjoy and celebrate.
After I scored a goal, I didn't even notice that I got a card. I celebrated with an eagle.
Berat Gjimshiti: A celebration for all Albanians
Captain Berat Gjimshiti:
There were emotions, especially after the match. The pressure was great. But I have experience in football life and I know how to deal with pressure.
It was still special to play here in Leskovac, as we call it. My hometown is close by.
A celebration for all Albanians. I hope we made them a little happy.
You also need to have quality to play at these levels. But with Ajeti we understand each other very well. We played together in the Swiss youth age groups. Then we decided to play together for Albania. But all the defenders, the whole team played a good game. We fought for every ball.
The first congratulation was from my wife, my family. There were many messages. I haven't opened them all. I have replied to my family, my parents, my wife, my children. There are many messages.
Kristjan Asllani: We only came for three points
Midfielder Kristjan Asllani:
"We knew that we only needed the victory. We came for three points. We are very happy for us, for all Albanians. For us it is the most beautiful day in the National Team. It is the most beautiful match, which we played with heart and we are very happy.
We are happy that Rey Manaj scored the goal, especially because of the penalty in Tirana.
For me it was a very difficult match. In the second half we played more simply. Today there are three points and all Albanians are happy for this.
"A draw would be too little and we came only to win the game. We knew it and I am very happy for all Albanians."
Elseid Hysaj: We take the victory with great joy
Defender Elseid Hysaj:
We made mistakes in two games that if we hadn't made mistakes we would have celebrated even more. We take this victory with great pride, but we must know that we still have two games to play.
We are a fantastic group. I am very pleased that we have created this group. The strikers are scoring important goals and we hope to continue like this.
Today I went out to see the pitch and told the players not to look calm. I told them it was a difficult match, that the fans would get excited later and that's what happened.
Albanians are celebrating in many places
Albania's celebration against Serbia brought celebration to all Albanian cities.
It is being celebrated in Pristina, Mitrovica, Tirana and all other cities.
But Albanians are also celebrating in various countries in Europe and around the world.
Uzuni: For Albania I die on the field
Striker Myrto Uzuni:
For this shirt I am ready to give everything and even die on the field. I want to sacrifice for the national team. I don't even care if I play left-back. Today I had a difficult opponent. It is a great victory. We have all done a great job and we are happy to have entered history.
I'm waiting for my moment. The important thing is that we won tonight.
It's the best feeling for a footballer to play for his nation, to represent his family.
Appearing at the World Cup in the USA would be the most beautiful thing and the most beautiful gift for me.
Juljan Shehu: We made all Albanians proud
Albania midfielder, Julian Shehu:
The emotions are indescribable. We are super happy, super satisfied. One of the happiest days of my life. I am very happy that we made all of Albania proud tonight.
The motivation was maximum today. We all knew it was life or death. We all gave our maximum and made it possible for it to be our day and to celebrate this moment.
Serbian media: Tragedy
Photo: Associated Press
Serbian media have taken Serbia's loss to Albania very seriously.
"The tragedy and the end of Stojkovic's 'idea': Albania in Leskovac dashed Serbia's hopes for the World Cup," wrote "sportal.rs".
"Serbia sadly loses to Albania, whistles in Leskovac for Stojkovic's representation", writes "nova.rs".
"Serbia's debacle in Leskovac - a clear message from the stands to Pixi," writes "b92.net".
"Shame and disaster: Albania crushes Serbia and the Pix", writes "Sportklub".
One hour into the game, Albania is ahead
Photo: Associated Press
An hour has passed in the Serbia - Albania match.
The Reds are leading 1:0 with Rey Manaj's goal.
Manaj, the eagle of Albania in Leskovac
Photo: Associated Press
Albania is leading 1:0 after the first half of the match against Serbia in Leskovac. Rey Manaj scored a beautiful goal in the second minute of extra time.
He celebrated by forming the figure of a double-headed eagle.
There were calls to "drown the Albanian" after Manaj's goal.
The Rossoneri's celebration was fiery and passionate.
GOOOOOAL - MANAAAAAAAJ
Rey Manaj scored to give Albania a 1-0 lead over Serbia. He celebrated with an eagle.
The first tensions on the field, the score 0:0
There was some tension on the field between the Serbian and Albanian players, but the referee quickly restored calm.
The score after 25 minutes of play remains 0:0.
Anti-Kosovo call in Leskovac
Anti-Kosovo chants have already started at the Serbia - Albania match.
Cries of "Kosovo, Serbia" and "Kosovo is the heart of Serbia" were heard.
The calls are becoming more and more frequent.
15 minutes of play, Albania on defense
The match between Serbia and Albania is being played in a mostly calm atmosphere.
15 minutes have already been played, while the score remains 0:0. Serbia has the initiative, but without creating any good scoring chances.
The Reds have stopped on defense.
The Albanian anthem is whistled.
The Albanian anthem was played before the Serbia - Albania match.
There do not appear to be any organized fan groups at the "Duboçica" stadium in Leskovac.
— OvoOno (@OvoOnoX) October 11, 2025
The whistle when Albania's players take the field
Whistles were heard when Albania's players took to the field at the "Duboçica" stadium in Leskovac.
The stadium is still filling up, with 20 percent of its capacity set to be empty. A large flag has been placed behind one of the gates.
— Boy from the region (@Virim_iz_coska) October 11, 2025
Pale atmosphere in Leskovac
There are no signs of any enthusiasm in Leskovac where the Serbia - Albania match is being played.
About an hour before the start of the match, ordinary spectators are seen on Leskovac Street, but not in large numbers.
Serbs fear referee Istvan Kovacs
The duel between Serbia and Albania has received great attention.
Serbian media have also paid great attention to the match referee, Istvan Kovacs.
Kovacs is a judge from Romania, while "Kurir.rs" has written about, as this medium calls it, "scandals" in the past.
Kovacs was the main referee of the Champions League final between PSG and Inter this year.
He was also the main referee of the Conference League final between Roma and Feyenoord, as well as the Europa League final between Atalanta and Bayer Leverkusen.
"Kurir" wrote that Kovacs had also refereed the match between Serbia and Slovenia at the European Championship in Germany.
"In 2018, the Romanian was at the center of the scandal after the Nations League match between Sweden and Turkey. Sweden won thanks to Andreas Granqvist's penalty in the 71st minute, while his teammate Marcus Berg, after the match, had given a statement that raised a lot of dust," the Serbian media initially wrote.
"After the first half I went to the referee to complain that he didn't give us a penalty after the foul on me. He looked at me and said: I will take another look at the situation in the locker room. If I made a mistake, I will give them two penalties in the second half," wrote "Kurir", recalling a statement by Berg at the time.
Serbian media also report on one arrest
Serbian Interior Ministry officials in Prokuplje have arrested a 35-year-old Italian citizen with the initials EE for wearing a T-shirt with the inscription of the Kosovo Liberation Army, "b92" wrote on Saturday evening.
The media outlet wrote that a bag was also found in the trunk of the Peugeot car, containing a green T-shirt with the KLA symbol.
According to "b92", EE will be held in custody for 48 hours and will be sent to the High Public Prosecutor's Office in Prokuplje for criminal charges.
In Serbia on Thursday, they reported that a 53-year-old Albanian, with the initials DP, was also arrested at the Merdar crossing.
Meanwhile, "Sportklub" wrote that the police, to prevent Albanians from entering the stadium, are checking everyone's phones to see if they have photos with Albanian symbols.
Albania's formation against Serbia
The Albanian national team coach, Sylvinho, has announced the starting lineup for the match against Serbia.
The Serbia - Albania match takes place at 20:45 at the "Duboçica" stadium in Leskovac and belongs to Group K. It is valid for the World Cup qualifiers to be held next year in the USA, Mexico and Canada.
Thomas Strakosha will be in goal. Mario Mitaj, Berat Gjimshiti, Arlind Ajeti and Elseid Hysaj will be in the defensive unit.
The midfield consists of Qazim Laçi, Kristjan Asllani and Juljan Shehu.
The attack is led by Armando Broja, Rey Manaj and Myrto Uzuni.
In Leskovac, many police officers, little fan euphoria
The small stadium in Leskovac will be packed with spectators for the Serbia - Albania match.
But this small town was quiet on Saturday and, according to Serbian media, continues to be so.
There are numerous police forces on the streets, but not any fan organizations.
Security measures are strict for the match.