Finland's Promotion Hopes Over After Defeat In Albania

Muci and Manaj sink Finland as Albania seal top-two finish

Albania beat 10-man Finland 2-0 thanks to goals from Ernest Muci and Rey Manaj to end Huuhkajat's promotion hopes and stay on course for an immediate return to League B.

Finland's hopes of promotion to League B are over after a defeat to Albania in Group C1...

Finland's hopes of earning promotion to League B of the UEFA Nations League are over after a lacklustre 2-0 defeat away to Albania, a night that also saw them reduced to 10 men.

The result guaranteed the hosts a top-two finish in Group C1 as they continue their own push for an immediate return to the second tier.

Finland started the evening in third place, behind Belarus on goal difference and two points adrift of Albania, who looked to assert their authority from the outset when Qazim Laci's early effort flashed just past the post.

After a quiet opening, Finland captain Lukas Hradecky was called into action twice in as many minutes to keep the hosts at bay, saving well from Ernest Muci before diving impressively low to his right to deny an in-form Kristjan Asllani's drive from inside the box.

Rolando Moran's side continued to dominate possession, with Asllani renewing his personal duel with Hradecky after another fine effort was repelled. It felt like it would take something special to beat the veteran shot-stopper, and Muci provided exactly that after 35 minutes.

Following a spell of pressure, a clearance fell to the midfielder inside the penalty area, and he used his first touch to set up a wonderful volley with his second that flew into the top corner, leaving Hradecky rooted to the spot.

Finland should have equalised against the run of play as half-time approached, when Miro Tenho headed straight at Etrit Berisha from six yards out, before Leo Walta flashed an effort wide moments later.

Finland carried that momentum into the second half, and Benjamin Kallman had a great chance to level the game less than three minutes after the restart, stooping to meet a cross after excellent work from Topi Keskinen, only to send his header narrowly over the bar.

That miss proved costly, as Albania doubled their lead in their very next attack, with Rey Manaj succeeding where Kallman had failed. The striker scored his third goal in four Nations League matches, rising between two defenders to head Elseid Hysaj's inswinging cross into the bottom corner.

Manaj had the chance to make it 3-0 moments later with a turn-and-shot inside the box, only for Hradecky to tip his drive around the post, before Finland's frustration boiled over when they were reduced to 10 men. Tenho was sent off for a poor high-studs challenge on Muci as the home side broke away.

Despite being a man down, Finland missed the chance to set up a frantic finale when substitute Anssi Suhonen ghosted in at the far post but failed to get proper contact, and the ball bobbled agonisingly wide, allowing Albania to close out a 2-0 win.

Lopputulos. #Huuhkajat #MeOlemmeSuomi https://t.co/Boqn1N3sZ5

— Huuhkajat (@Huuhkajat) November 12, 2026

Belarus picked up an expected three points away at San Marino, and thanks to a superior head-to-head record over Huuhkajat, are guaranteed to finish above them in the group. Finland are therefore destined to finish third and remain in League C for the next Nations League cycle.

Albania will now go into Sunday's tie against Belarus in Budapest in a strong position to secure automatic promotion to League B. Finland end their disappointing campaign at home to San Marino, having not scored from open play since these sides met on matchday one.