Albania vs San Marino 2-1

Albania beat San Marino 2-1 at Arena Kombëtare after Kristjan Asllani converted a penalty three minutes into stoppage time. His second goal of the night settled a match Albania had twice controlled, before VAR confirmed the late spot-kick.

Asllani put Albania ahead in the 11th minute, finishing to make it 1-0. San Marino stayed in the game through the first half, with F. Fabbri booked in the 38th minute before Albania sent on Anis Mehmeti for Ernest Muci on 45 minutes. Albania led 1-0 at the break.

San Marino levelled in the 66th minute when Lorenzo Lazzari scored from Lorenzo Capicchioni after coming on in the 58th minute. Albania then made two changes on 71 minutes, with Mirlind Daku replacing Juljan Shehu and Ylber Ramadani on for Mario Mitaj, and kept pressing before the decisive VAR review on 90 minutes found a penalty for Ardian Ismajli. Asllani then made it 2-1 on 90+3 minutes. San Marino had also made two changes together on 58 minutes, while Michele Cevoli was replaced on 59 minutes after being booked earlier.

The numbers backed Albania's edge in territory and volume. They had 70% of the ball, 561 passes to San Marino's 255, 26 shots to 8, and 10 corners to 1. Albania also had 7 shots on target to San Marino's 3, while San Marino made 5 saves to Albania's 2. Albania committed 12 fouls to San Marino's 21 and the visitors were caught offside once, with Albania not offside at all.

Discipline was heavier for San Marino, who had four yellow cards to Albania's one. F. Fabbri was booked in the 38th minute, Michele Cevoli in the 51st, S. Giocondi in the 76th and Nicholas Giacopetti in the 84th. Albania's only booking went to Ardian Ismajli in the 90+2nd minute, seconds before Asllani's winning penalty.