Kosovo had never beaten Slovenia before today (D1, L2), but it took the visitors only six minutes to get on the front foot as they attempted to end that record. Expertly positioned on the edge of the area, Asllani was in the mood to score one of the best goals you will see this weekend.
One, two, and then a third deft touch from the forward to take the ball away from Jaka Bijol and then Vanja Drkusic before he sublimely guided his strike into the bottom corner beyond the outstretched Jan Oblak. The celebrations with his teammates were thoroughly deserved for one of the hottest names in Kosovar football.
One nearly became two for Asllani and Kosovo 10 minutes later, but on this occasion, Oblak safely redirected the Hoffenheim hitman’s header away from any impending danger.
The Dardanians’ unchallenged attack on Oblak’s goal continued again in the 26th minute as Elvis Rexhbecaj’s long-range effort was well-saved by the Slovenian shot-stopper.
After enjoying a spectator’s view throughout the opening half-hour in Ljubljana with Benjamin Sesko out injured, Kosovo goalkeeper Amir Saipi was finally forced into his first save of the evening as he smartly prevented Tomi Horvat’s effort from nestling nicely in the bottom corner to preserve his side’s lead at the break.
If Slovenia’s first half was uninspiring, it got even worse in the space of six second-half minutes. Manager Matjaz Kek would have surely been fuming with half-time substitute Petar Stojanovic as he departed the pitch within eight minutes of the restart for two quick-fire yellow cards.
When you are down, you will normally be close to being out of a contest, and the hosts were certainly down for the count shortly after the hour mark.
In one of the most outrageous own goals you will see, Zan Karnicnik somehow inadvertently volleyed Florent Muslija’s cross beyond a helpless-looking Oblak. Karnicnik’s moment of madness finished off Slovenia, as only several fine Oblak saves prevented the score from becoming embarrassing.
Kosovo’s biggest win of FIFA 2026 World Cup Qualification puts Franco Foda’s side in pole position to potentially take their place at next year’s spectacle in North America ahead of the inter-confederation play-offs in March.
Meanwhile, Slovenia’s hopes of participating in their first World Cup since 2010 are now over after failing to celebrate a victory in any of their five qualifiers (D3, L2), ahead of their final Group B match in Sweden on Tuesday.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Fisnik Asllani (Kosovo)
