Finland and Albania faced off in the opening match of the Nations League game day on October 3rd, competing in Group C1.
The visitors took an early lead in the 4th minute thanks to a goal from Manaj. However, discipline issues soon undermined Albania’s advantage. Their goalkeeper Etrit Berisha was shown a straight red card midway through the first half. Just four minutes after his dismissal, Valtteri leveled the score for Finland. In the second half, Valtteri scored again to complete his brace, securing a 2-1 victory for the hosts.
This win propelled the Scandinavians ahead of Albania, moving them to the top of the group.
UEFA Nations League 2026-27
Finland – Albania 2:1 (1:1)
Goals: Manaj 4’ (0:1); Valtteri 26’ (1:1); Valtteri 71’ (2:1)
Finland: Hradecky; Mittinen (Väisänen L., 62’); Miettinen; Lahtemäki; Stahl; Valtteri (Valakari, 82’); Markiev (Peltola, 89’); Kairinen (Kamara G., 46’); Hokans (Jukkola, 62’); Svanbek; Pohjanpalo
Substitutions: Kamara G. (46’); Väisänen L. (62’); Jukkola (62’); Valakari (82’); Peltola (89’)
Bench: Sinisalo; Bergström; Maguta; Väynänen; Suhonen; Keskinen; Kjällman
Yellow cards: Kairinen 40’
Albania: Berisha Et. (sent off 22’); Mitaj; Hysaj; Gjimshiti; Ismajli; Piljos (Mehmeti An., 77’); Aslani K. (Shehu, 77’); Ramadani; Hodja Ar. (Sherri, 25’); Manaj (Daku, 46’); Muci E. (Uzuni, 65’)
Substitutions: Sherri (25’); Daku (46’); Uzuni (65’); Shehu (77’); Mehmeti An. (77’)
Bench: Dajsinani; Cakë; Aliyi; Kumbulla; Fetai; Seferi
Yellow cards: Sherri 26’; Gjimshiti 74’; Uzuni 80’
Red cards: Berisha Et. 22’
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