Vedat Muriqi headed an 83rd-minute winner as Kosovo opened their UEFA Nations League B campaign with a deserved 1-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland at Fadil Vokrri Stadium in Pristina on 24 September 2026.
Match facts
- Result: Kosovo 1-0 Republic of Ireland (half-time 0-0)
- Competition: UEFA Nations League B, Group 3, Matchday 1
- Venue: Fadil Vokrri Stadium, Pristina
- Scorers: Kosovo - Muriqi 83'
- Red cards: None
- Next: Austria v Kosovo, Sunday 27 September; Israel v Republic of Ireland
Late strike settles first meeting
The sides met for the first time at senior level in League B Group 3. Kosovo controlled large stretches of the night — BBC Sport recorded 22 shots to Ireland’s three — and finally broke through when substitute Ermal Krasniqi’s effort came back off the crossbar and captain Muriqi headed into an empty net.
A VAR check for a possible foul on Ireland captain Dara O’Shea in the build-up cleared the goal. According to BBC Sport, the finish was Muriqi’s 33rd in 69 caps for Kosovo. Franco Foda’s side had also gone close earlier through Muriqi and Edon Zhegrova, with Ireland clearing two efforts off the line.
Ireland survive, then concede
Heimir Hallgrímsson started with a defensive shape, including a first competitive start for James Abankwah, but the visitors spent long spells on the back foot. Jayson Molumby cleared off the line to deny Muriqi in the first half, and Caoimhín Kelleher produced a sharp save from the Fenerbahçe striker’s header before the break.
Ireland’s clearest opening fell to Chiedozie Ogbene, who fired over from inside the box after Abankwah’s cut-back. Troy Parrott’s second-half header was Ireland’s only shot on target. Hallgrímsson later told BBC Sport that Kosovo “deserved the win” and called it “an off day for a lot of our players.” O’Shea, speaking to RTÉ Sport, said it was “a disappointing night” and that Ireland had not played well enough.
What happens next
Kosovo sit on three points alongside Austria, who beat Israel 3-1 in the group’s other Matchday 1 fixture. Ireland have zero points and face Israel in Debrecen on Sunday before hosting Austria on 1 October.
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