Just as they needed to secure their first World Cup playoff berth, so it happened. Albania beat Andorra 1-0, while Serbia lost 2-0 to England on Thursday night, in the penultimate qualifying matches for the 2026 World Cup.
The Reds won in Encamp, Andorra 1:0 with the only goal scored by midfielder Kristjan Asllani.
Asllani scored with a precise shot after an assist from Myrto Uzun. The goal action was initiated by Nedim Bajrami, who was initially cleared by an Andorran player, then passed to Uzun, who then assisted for Asllani to score the big winning goal.
Bajrami and Uzuni entered the field seven minutes before Asllani scored the winning goal that secured Albania's first appearance in the playoffs for the World Cup to be held next year in the USA, Mexico and Canada.
Albania is in second place with 14 points, while Serbia is in third place with four points less. England has secured direct qualification for next year's World Cup.
Albania and England will face off in Tirana in the final qualifying match. The match will be played on Sunday and will be festive.
In fact, the Rossoneri have started the big celebration. They celebrated on the pitch together with a large number of spectators who had traveled to Andorra to support them.
Albania dominated the match. At the end of the first half, Albania, through captain Berat Gjimshiti, shot the crossbar.
After two appearances at the European Championship, Albania will seek qualification for the World Cup through the playoffs. The playoff matches will be played in March.
Ajeti: We are all celebrating, it is something historic for us
One of Albania's best defenders, Arlind Ajeti, has said that everyone is celebrating after reaching the playoffs for next year's World Cup.
"We are all celebrating, it is something historic for us", said Ajeti. "Challenges are part of life, it depends on how you overcome them. I have always tried to be positive. I believe that the national team has given me a lot since day one. So far it has been good and I hope we continue to do so."
Sylvinho: Proud that we have made 10 million Albanians happy
Albania coach Sylvinho is happy to have secured the play-offs for World Cup qualification. He is happy that millions of Albanians have enjoyed this historic success.
"I am proud that it is the first time we have reached this level and it is a pleasure for all 10 million Albanians. For us as a Federation and as a national team it is a great achievement. I knew it would be a difficult match. Today football is modern and there is growth in each team. It was a difficult team to beat, but I am proud of the achievement," said Sylvinho.
He also spoke about the match against England in Tirana on Sunday.
"We will be on the field against one of the best national teams in the world. It is important that we are in the playoffs with one match before the end of the cycle. I have not thought about the match against England yet, but we will start working on that match soon," said Sylvinho.
He also wished Kosovo to secure qualification for the World Cup.
"We hope Kosovo will also move forward," said Sylvinho.
Manaj talks about the possible confrontation with Kosovo in the playoffs
Striker Rey Manaj has spoken about the possibility of Albania facing Kosovo in the playoff for qualification for the 2026 World Cup. Kosovo needs a point against Slovenia on Saturday to secure the playoff, just as Albania did on Thursday night.
"We have reached the playoffs, we have played good matches during this cycle. Now we have a match against England, but with attention in March. We hope that Kosovo will not be the opponent in the playoffs. But if one of them secures the passage, on the one hand we will be upset and on the other hand we will be happy that the Albanians would be in the World Cup", said Manaj.
He said that the match against Andorra was difficult.
"We knew it would be a difficult match, as Andorra is behind as a team. Things don't always go the way you want. In the second half, the important thing was that we won and secured the playoff. The focus will be on March to secure the World Cup," said Manaj.
He also thanked the support he received after the goal against Serbia in Leskovac.
Hoxha hopes that Kosovo will also secure the playoffs
Arbër Hoxha is one of the best players at Dinamo Zagreb. He has also become important for Albania. Hoxha was on the starting line-up in Albania's 1:0 away win against Andorra. With the victory, Albania secured a play-off spot for the World Cup.
He previously played for Kosovo, but then decided to continue with Albania.
After advancing to the playoffs, Hoxha hopes that Kosovo will also secure the playoffs. Kosovo will secure the playoffs if they draw with Slovenia on Saturday.
"I wish Kosovo the best. I am from Kosovo, I watch it when it plays and I hope that Kosovo also reaches the World Cup," Hoxha declared.
Hoxha admitted that the celebration was great after the victory over Andorra.
"We celebrated very normally. In the second half we changed our approach and we needed the victory. Every minute that passed, things became more difficult for us. But we scored and secured the victory. It is a pleasure to play for the National Team. I am in good rhythm with my team as well. I am in high rhythm and I wish you success. The National Team always gives you a great emotion, and it is one of the greatest successes", said Hoxha.
Hoxha indicated that Albania had trouble against Andorra, a team that defended itself very well.
"When you play against teams like Andorra that are ranked with five defenders, or 10 in defense, you don't have many spaces. In the second half we went all out and got to the goal. In the first half we weren't good, but we created many chances in the second half and we won. Broja has qualities but I didn't have one-on-one situations, as there were two or three players close by," he declared.
Asllani: We have made a difficult thing a reality
Albanian midfielder Kristjan Asllani is happy with the goal that secured Albania's victory over Andorra. But he said he is happier that Albania secured the playoff for World Cup qualification.
"It's historic, we're happy because Albania has never reached this situation. We have a match with England and we have to play a serious game. This is a historic night for us. The stadium against England will be full and we're happy, but we have to play a serious game and we'll play to win the game. England has a strong team and it will be difficult," said Asllani.
He said he dedicated the goal to his father.
"I dedicate it to my father, because he made a great sacrifice for me," Asllani emphasized.
Asllani doesn't think it was the best match of his career, but he adds that it was a historic victory.
"I'm only thinking about this victory and we've made a difficult thing a reality," said Asllani.
The Duke does not want a confrontation with Kosovo: It would kill one of us
The President of the Albanian Football Federation, Armand Duka, is happy about the victory over Andorra. He said that Albania's dream of securing qualification for the World Cup continues.
"We continue our dream of the World Cup. The playoffs will pit us against strong teams. But we will fight and I hope we succeed," said Duka.
He hopes that Kosovo will also secure the World Cup playoffs, but has said that he would not want to face the "Dardans" in the playoffs.
"I believe they are already very close to the playoffs, but they need to evaluate the last two games to reach the playoffs," Duka said. "I absolutely would not want (the matchup). It would kill one of us."
Goooooolllll, Asllani scores the lead goal against Andorra
Kristjan Asllani scored the opening goal for Albania against Andorra.
Asllani scored the opening goal in the 68th minute.
Albania starts the second half furiously, Hoxha's shot is blocked
Albania started the second half furiously against Andorra.
But Arbër Hoxha's shot was blocked by an Andorran defender.
Albania dominated the first half, even hitting the crossbar
Albania's players completely dominated the first half of the match against Andorra. But the Rossoneri failed to score a goal, although at the end of the first half, captain Berat Gjimshiti hit the crossbar.
Albania had 72% possession of the ball, while having a total of seven shots.
The Andorra - Albania match belongs to the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Albania needs Serbia's victory and England's loss to secure the play-offs for next year's World Cup.
Albania with the first good chance against Andorra
Midfielder Kristjan Asllani shot on goal in the 18th minute.
He shot over the goal from a free kick in Albania's first good chance.
Albania dominates the field, but still without a good chance to score
Albania has the highest percentage of ball possession during the first 15 minutes of the 2026 World Cup qualifying match against Andorra.
Many spectators and Albanian flags in Andorra
Albanian footballers have great support from the stands in the decisive match against Andorra. Many Albanian flags are also seen.
The Andorra - Albania match belongs to the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
It is the penultimate match for both teams.
Albania's starting lineup against Andorra
Photo: Associated Press
Albania's football coach, Sylvinho, has announced the starting lineup for the decisive match against Andorra, as part of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Against Andorra, Albania will play with an attacking formation. Rey Manaj will be supported in the wings by Arbër Hoxha and Armando Broja.
The match starts at 20:45.
