With it being such a big game for the hosts, the spotlight was on their key stars to step up, and none more so than Alexander Isak. The striker had scored twice before against Kosovo, and his last three international goals had come at home.
Nonetheless, when Yasin Ayari’s corner floated towards him, the Sweden fans were expectant. However, Isak’s header was well-saved by Arijanet Muric.
As the home support got more anxious, Kosovo grew into the first half, as Fisnik Asllani tried his luck from range, but Viktor Johansson gathered easily.
However, the goalkeeper was helpless to stop him a second time, as Veldin Hodza’s attempted ball control fell to Asllani’s feet, and he poked home to stun Sweden.
The visitors almost doubled their lead before half-time too, as Vedat Muriqi’s initial effort was parried to Leon Avdullahu, who struck the post.
A triple change was made by Sweden to try and change their fortunes heading into the second half, with the exciting Anthony Elanga one of them. He crossed for Viktor Gyokeres, who had been quiet, but the striker’s header was held by Muric.
His usual partner-in-crime Isak also got on the end of an Elanga delivery, but headed over in a promising position. Another of Sweden’s substitutes was the talented Roony Bardghji, whose corner found Gustaf Lagerbielke, but the defender headed agonisingly wide.
Such was Sweden’s desperation in the latter stages, Elanga kept whipping dangerous balls into the box, and Isak met yet another one with his head, but Muric denied him again from close range.
Kosovo sealed successive head-to-head wins for the first time as a result, keeping their dream of qualifying for a first-ever World Cup as an independent nation alive, and mounting further pressure on Sweden head coach Jon Dahl Tomasson in the process.
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