Kosovo secure narrow 1-0 win over Republic of Ireland in Nations League clash

Kosovo claim a vital win with late strike

In a tightly contested UEFA Nations League Group Stage match, Kosovo men's national association football team edged past Republic of Ireland men's national association football team with a 1-0 victory at Stadiumi Fadil Vokrri in Prishtina on Thursday, 24 September 2026. The decisive moment came late in the game when Vedat Muriqi broke the deadlock in the 83rd minute, securing all three points for the hosts.

Match events and discipline

The first half ended goalless, with both sides struggling to find clear-cut chances. Discipline became a talking point in the second half as Republic of Ireland saw two players booked in quick succession. Jayson Molumby received a yellow card in the 66th minute, followed by James Abankwah two minutes later. Neither team had players sent off, and Kosovo managed to maintain composure to see out the game.

Dominant stats underpin Kosovo's performance

Kosovo controlled the match for the majority of the 90 minutes, enjoying 57.3% possession compared to Ireland's 42.7%. The hosts were far more threatening in front of goal, mustering 22 shots with eight on target, whereas Republic of Ireland managed just three shots and a single effort on target. Kosovo also earned one corner, while Ireland failed to register any. Fouls were relatively evenly spread, with Kosovo committing 12 and Ireland 15. The home goalkeeper made one crucial save, while Ireland's keeper was busier with five saves. Kosovo were caught offside twice but managed to keep Ireland off the scoresheet.

Impact on group standings

With this win, Kosovo move to second place in the group having played one match, securing three points with a goal difference of +1 from their 1-0 success. Republic of Ireland, meanwhile, find themselves in third position without points after their opening defeat and a goal difference of -1. The three-point gap between the two teams will prove significant as the group stage progresses.

Looking ahead in the Nations League

Kosovo will aim to maintain their momentum and build on this positive start in upcoming fixtures, seeking to consolidate their position near the top of the group. Republic of Ireland will need to regroup quickly to bounce back and keep their qualification hopes alive as the competition unfolds.

Goals and key moments

Match statistics

Impact on the table