Kean inspires Italy in thriller as Kosovo stun Sweden

Sweden

Gennaro Gattuso continued his excellent start as Italy coach as Moise Kean scored twice in an epic 5-4 victory against Israel to move second in Group I. Meanwhile, Kosovo secured just their second-ever FIFA World Cup™ qualifying victory with a 2-0 victory over Sweden in Group B.

Meanwhile, on a busy day of FIFA World Cup 26™ qualifying action, there were comfortable victories for Switzerland, Denmark, Croatia, Scotland and the Faroe Islands.

Kosovo stunned Sweden in Ljubljana to storm on to three points from two outings and leave their opponents on one. Both goals were from lightning, box-to-box counter attacks. Fortune favoured them with the first, with Elvis Rexhbecaj’s shot coming back off goalkeeper Robin Olsen, hitting him and going in. Vedat Muriqi got the second following neat play from Albion Rrahmani. Franco Foda’s side defended resolutely in the second half, with Ilir Krasniqi nullifying Viktor Gyokeres. Kosovo substitute Lindon Emerllahu saw red for a second bookable offence late on, but Sweden were unable to capitalise.

Switzerland 3-0 Slovenia

Switzerland goals: Nico Elvedi (18), Breel Embolo (33), Dan Ndoye (38)

Breel Embolo continued his fine goalscoring form as Switzerland surged to the top of the table with a comfortable victory over Slovenia. After scoring a brace against Kosovo, the Rennes forward headed home a Fabian Rieder corner midway through the first half to make it six goals in his past five internationals.

The home side had earlier taken the lead in the 18th minute when centre-back Nico Elvedi guided a Ruben Vargas corner into the net with a glancing header. In almost a carbon copy goal, Embolo doubled the home side’s lead on 33 minutes. Switzerland then made it 3-0 before the break when Dan Ndoye swept home a Remo Freuler cross into the roof of the net, which proved the final score.