FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
After Saturday's victory over Serbia, Albania has 11 points after six matches, while the closest follower, who was defeated in Leskovac, has 7 points, but has played 5 matches and still has three to play.
At first glance, it seems that these two teams will compete for second place in Group K, which gives them the opportunity to continue the play-offs for World Cup qualification.
In the two remaining matches, if Albania wins against Andorra on the road, the Rossoneri will climb to 14 points. They have the luxury of even losing the last match against England at "Air Albania".
In this case, Serbia will not be forced to win, only to win all three of its matches, or to win two and draw one, significantly improving its goal difference, as it is weaker than Albania (the Reds +3 and the Serbs -2). So in the scenario of Albania's victory over Andorra, the goal difference will also have to improve, so that Serbia will have even more difficulty in taking second place from Albania with two wins over Andorra and Latvia and a possible draw against England. Because in the event of a tie on points at the end of the qualifiers, the first criterion taken into account is the overall goal difference.
If Silvinho's team wins convincingly in Andorra and loses in Trilirana against England, Serbia would have to win all three of its matches, so defeat both Andorra and Latvia and even England. (November 13), where getting three points is almost mission impossible. So, if Serbia loses to England, we are practically in second place. If they create the surprise and draw in London, Albania would need a goal victory over Andorra, always counting on losing to England.
If we finish second, eliminating Serbia, we still do not go directly to the 2026 World Cup. In this case, Albania would qualify for the second qualifying phase, the play-off phase. In this phase, a total of 16 teams will be included: 12 teams that finish second in their groups and 4 teams that are group winners in the 2024–25 UEFA Nations League, but that were not ranked first or second in the qualifying groups for the World Cup. These 16 teams will be divided into 4 groups, with 4 teams each, and will play single-leg elimination matches, with the winner of each group qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
Albania matches
Andorra – Albania 13.11. 20:45
Albania – England 16.11. 18:00
Serbia matches
Andorra – Serbia 14.10. 20:45
England – Serbia 13.11. 20:45
Serbia – Latvia 16.11. 18:00
Lini një Përgjigje