Finland vs Albania 2-1 Full Time Match Results and All Goals Highlights | UEFA Nations League 2026

Finland vs Albania 2-1 Full Time Match Results and All Goals Highlights – UEFA Nations League C

By trendy news · Published October 3, 2026 · Updated October 3, 2026 · trendynews.space

Final Score: Finland 2 – 1 Albania
Half-time: 1 – 1
Date: 3 October 2026
Competition: UEFA Nations League C – Group 1, Matchday 3
Venue: Olympiastadion (Helsinki Olympic Stadium), Helsinki
Attendance: 24,885
Referee: Rob Hennessy (Ireland)

Finland produced a clinical comeback to defeat Albania 2-1 at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium on Saturday afternoon, climbing to the top of UEFA Nations League C Group 1. Leo Walta emerged as the clear man of the match with two superb free-kick goals either side of half-time, cancelling out Rey Manaj’s early header and punishing a costly error by Albania goalkeeper Etrit Berisha that led to a red card after only 22 minutes.

The result leaves Finland on seven points from three matches (two wins and one draw), one point clear of Albania who drop to second after their first defeat of the campaign. Both sides remain well clear of Belarus and San Marino in the four-team section, with promotion to League B still firmly in the hands of the top two.

Match Timeline and All Goals Highlights

4th Minute – Rey Manaj Opens the Scoring (0-1)

Goal: Rey Manaj (Albania) – Header
Assist: Kristjan Asllani (corner)

Albania struck with their first real attack of the afternoon. Kristjan Asllani swung in a near-post corner from the right and Rey Manaj, timing his run perfectly, glanced a firm header across goalkeeper Lukáš Hrádecký and into the far corner. It was Manaj’s second consecutive international goal after ending an 11-month drought against San Marino in the previous round. The early setback stunned the home crowd of nearly 25,000.

22nd Minute – Etrit Berisha Sent Off

The turning point of the contest arrived midway through the first half. Albania goalkeeper Etrit Berisha received a pass under little pressure, then inexplicably played the ball straight to Daniel Håkans on the edge of the box. As the Finland winger prepared to shoot, Berisha lunged in and brought him down. Referee Rob Hennessy had no hesitation in showing a straight red card for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity. Albania were reduced to ten men with more than an hour still to play.

26th Minute – Leo Walta Equalises from Free-Kick (1-1)

Goal: Leo Walta (Finland) – Direct free-kick

Substitute goalkeeper Alen Sherri had barely entered the pitch when he was tested from a dangerous free-kick position. Leo Walta stepped up and drove a low, hard effort that Sherri could only push into the net. The goal came just four minutes after the red card and completely shifted the momentum inside the Olympic Stadium. Walta’s first goal of the Nations League campaign was the perfect response to Finland’s difficult opening period.

71st Minute – Leo Walta’s Second Free-Kick Seals the Win (2-1)

Goal: Leo Walta (Finland) – Direct free-kick

With Albania still fighting hard despite the numerical disadvantage, Finland won another free-kick roughly 25 metres from goal. Walta again took responsibility and produced an even better strike, curling the ball into the top corner beyond Sherri’s despairing dive. The second goal of the afternoon for the midfielder gave Finland a lead they would not relinquish and sparked wild celebrations among the home supporters.

Albania pushed for an equaliser in the closing stages, creating a handful of half-chances, but Finland’s defence, marshalled by a solid midfield and the reliable Hrádecký, held firm. Five minutes of added time brought late pressure but no further goals.

Key Match Statistics

Statistic	Finland	Albania
Possession	59–60%	40–41%
Total Shots	10–11	13–14
Shots on Target	3	5
Expected Goals (xG)	0.52–0.55	1.01–1.03
Corners	7	6
Fouls	13	10
Yellow Cards	1	3–4
Red Cards	0	1
Saves	3–4	1

Despite having less possession and fewer shots on target, Finland’s clinical set-piece execution proved decisive. Albania’s higher xG reflected their early dominance and late pressure with ten men, yet they were unable to convert those opportunities after the red card.

Player Performances and Tactical Analysis

Leo Walta – Man of the Match

Leo Walta delivered a masterclass in free-kick taking. Both goals were struck with precision and power, the first a driven low effort and the second a classic curled finish into the far top corner. Beyond the goals, Walta controlled the tempo of Finland’s midfield after the red card, recycling possession and finding space between Albania’s compact lines. His performance will be remembered as one of the standout individual displays of the 2026 Nations League so far.

Rey Manaj and Albania’s Early Threat

Rey Manaj continued his positive form with another headed goal. The striker’s movement and aerial ability caused Finland problems in the opening stages. However, after Berisha’s dismissal, Albania were forced to reshuffle. Manager Rolando Maran brought on Alen Sherri for Arbër Hoxha and later introduced Mirlind Daku for Manaj at half-time in an attempt to keep an attacking presence. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Albania remained organised and created more shots than their opponents, a testament to their resilience.

Etrit Berisha’s Costly Error

The Albania goalkeeper’s moment of madness changed the entire complexion of the match. A misplaced pass under minimal pressure and the subsequent foul on Håkans not only gifted Finland a free-kick in a dangerous area but also left his team a man short for the majority of the contest. Berisha’s red card will be heavily scrutinised in the post-match analysis.

Finland’s Defensive Solidity

Once ahead, Finland managed the game intelligently. Goalkeeper Lukáš Hrádecký made several important saves, including a late effort from Anis Mehmeti. The back line, supported by midfielders such as Glen Kamara (introduced in the second half) and Kaan Kairinen, limited Albania’s clear-cut chances. Substitutions by Finland coach Jacob Friis were well-timed, refreshing the midfield and maintaining energy levels as the game entered its final stages.

Group Standings After Matchday 3

Pos	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Finland	3	2	1	0	9	1	+8	7
2	Albania	3	2	0	1	6	2	+4	6
3	Belarus	3	0	2	1	0	2	-2	2
4	San Marino	3	0	1	2	0	10	-10	1

Finland’s victory moves them above Albania for the first time in the group. Both teams still have strong chances of finishing first and securing promotion to League B. Albania will look to bounce back quickly when they host San Marino in their next fixture, while Finland will prepare for their remaining matches with renewed confidence.

Historical Context and Head-to-Head

Meetings between Finland and Albania have been relatively rare. Prior to this encounter the sides had met eight times, with Finland winning five, Albania two and one draw. The most recent competitive meetings before 2026 date back more than two decades. This Nations League clash therefore carried extra significance for both sets of supporters.

Finland entered the match on the back of a 7-0 thrashing of San Marino and a frustrating 0-0 home draw with Belarus. Albania had won both of their opening fixtures, establishing themselves as early group leaders. The narrow defeat in Helsinki ends their perfect record but does not eliminate them from promotion contention.

What This Result Means Going Forward

For Finland, the three points are invaluable. Climbing to the summit of Group 1 with a game in hand in terms of momentum puts them in an excellent position to push for an immediate return to League B. The manner of the victory – recovering from an early deficit and capitalising on a numerical advantage through set-piece quality – will boost belief within the squad.

Albania, despite the loss, showed character by competing effectively with ten men for over an hour. Their higher expected goals total indicates they created more than enough chances to take something from the game. If they can maintain their attacking threat while tightening up at the back, they remain genuine contenders for first place.

The remaining fixtures will decide the group. Both Finland and Albania face the lower-ranked sides in the section and will be expected to take maximum points. Any slip-ups could prove costly in a tight race at the top.

Key Talking Points from the Match

Set-piece excellence: Both of Finland’s goals came from free-kicks. Albania’s early goal also originated from a corner. Dead-ball situations decided the outcome.
Goalkeeper error: Berisha’s red card was the decisive moment. Professional fouls of this nature are rarely forgiven at international level.
Resilience of the underdogs: Even with ten men Albania registered more shots and a higher xG, showing the quality that had earned them six points from their first two games.
Home support: Nearly 25,000 fans created a vibrant atmosphere at the Olympic Stadium, helping Finland maintain intensity after the equaliser.
Walta’s emergence: The midfielder’s two goals mark him out as a key figure for Finland in the remainder of the campaign.

Full Match Summary

Albania started brightly and took a fourth-minute lead through Rey Manaj’s header from Kristjan Asllani’s corner. Finland struggled to settle until the 22nd minute when Etrit Berisha’s error and subsequent red card transformed the contest. Leo Walta equalised four minutes later with a powerful free-kick that beat substitute goalkeeper Alen Sherri. The second half remained competitive despite Albania’s numerical disadvantage. Walta struck again in the 71st minute with another free-kick, this time curling the ball into the top corner. Finland managed the closing stages professionally to secure a vital 2-1 victory and move top of UEFA Nations League C Group 1.

The result underlines the importance of set-piece quality and mental strength at this level. Finland demonstrated both, while Albania will reflect on a costly individual error that ultimately decided the points.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the final score of Finland vs Albania?

Finland won 2-1 against Albania on 3 October 2026 in UEFA Nations League C.

Who scored the goals in Finland vs Albania?

Rey Manaj scored for Albania in the 4th minute. Leo Walta scored both of Finland’s goals from free-kicks in the 26th and 71st minutes.

Why was Albania’s goalkeeper sent off?

Etrit Berisha received a straight red card in the 22nd minute for a professional foul after misplacing a pass and bringing down Daniel Håkans on the edge of the penalty area.

Where does this leave the Nations League group standings?

Finland move to the top of Group 1 with 7 points. Albania sit second on 6 points. Belarus have 2 points and San Marino 1 point.

Where was the match played?

The match took place at the Olympiastadion (Helsinki Olympic Stadium) in Helsinki, Finland, in front of 24,885 spectators.

This comprehensive report covers the full Finland vs Albania 2-1 full time match results, all goals highlights, key statistics, tactical insights and group implications from the UEFA Nations League encounter on 3 October 2026. Stay tuned to trendynews.space for more live scores, analysis and updates from the ongoing Nations League campaign.