Словакия – Косово

Kosovo produced a sensational second-half comeback to beat Slovakia 4-3 in Bratislava and book a World Cup qualifying playoff final against Türkiye. In a pulsating seven-goal encounter, the hosts struck first through Martin Valjent after just six minutes, but Kosovo refused to buckle. Veldin Hodza equalised on 21 minutes before Lukás Haraslín restored Slovakia's lead right on the stroke of half-time. The game turned after the break, Fisnik Asllani (47'), Florent Muslija (60') and Kreshnik Hajrizi (72') struck three times in 25 minutes to put Kosovo firmly in control at 4-2. David Strelec pulled one back deep in stoppage time to make it Slovakia 3-4 Kosovo, but it was too little too late. The 20,113 home fans were left stunned as the visitors held on. For Kosovo, the result puts them one win away from a first-ever World Cup appearance. Slovakia, meanwhile, will rue a devastating collapse that ended their qualifying dream in heartbreaking fashion.