Albania Women earned their first ever point against Czech Republic Women in Prague, with Vanesa Levendi cancelling out Klára Cahynová's early second-half opener in a 1-1 draw.
Match Analysis
AI SummaryHow it unfolded
A goalless first half offered few clear chances. Czechia controlled long spells of possession but struggled to break down a disciplined Albanian defence. The best opportunity fell to the visitors on the counter, though neither side could find a breakthrough before the interval.
The deadlock lasted barely 90 seconds into the second half. Within a minute of the restart — and immediately after Anna Polášková had been replaced by Adéla Švibková — Czechia struck. Michaela Khýrová found Cahynová, who finished with a right-footed shot to make it 1-0 in the 47th minute.
Albania's response was impressive. Fortesa Berisha — cautioned in the 51st minute — turned provider in the 70th minute, slipping a pass through for Levendi, who fired home with her right foot to level the scores. It was the forward's second goal in the qualifying campaign.
Czechia pushed for a winner in the final 20 minutes, but Albania's defence held firm. The visitors finished with four yellow cards — Berisha, Ilarja Zarka (57'), Arbiona Bajraktari (80') and Rajmonda Spahiu (90+2') — and wasted time with a flurry of late substitutions as they ground out the result.
The turning point
Czechia's decision to withdraw Polášková at half-time, bringing on Švibková, immediately paid off with Cahynová's goal. But the momentum swung again when Albania equalised. Barbora Votíková's enforced introduction in the 68th minute — Olivie Lukášová went off injured — may have disrupted Czechia's defensive shape; two minutes later, Levendi struck.
Key performers
Klára Cahynová was Czechia's standout threat. She scored the opener with a clinical finish and created Czechia's best chances after the equaliser. Her movement between the lines caused Albania problems throughout.
Vanesa Levendi took her goal superbly and led Albania's attacking line with tireless running. Her finish was composed and decisive.
Fortesa Berisha endured a mixed afternoon — booked early in the second half but providing the assist for the equaliser with a clever pass. She was substituted with a minute of normal time remaining, her work done.
Antigoni Hyska in the Albania goal made several crucial saves to keep her side in the game, especially in the closing stages when Czechia pushed for a winner.
Player of the match: Vanesa Levendi (Albania W)
By the numbers — interpreted
The match stats page shows zeroes for possession, shots and passes — a data gap rather than a true reflection of the game. What the card count tells a clearer story: Albania conceded four yellows to Czechia's one, reflecting a defensive rearguard operation after the equaliser. Czechia attempted 11 fouls; Albania conceded 17. The visitors' four cards in the final 40 minutes highlight their game management approach.
Czechia had won all three previous meetings between these sides — including a 5-1 demolition in Shkodër on 7 March 2026 — and entered as heavy favourites. The 1-1 scoreline marked the first time Albania avoided defeat against Czechia.
What it means
This was Matchday 5 of Group B1 in Women's World Cup 2027 qualifying. The point kept Czechia second in the group with 11 points from five matches, four behind leaders Wales. That gap proved decisive — Wales beat Czechia 3-1 in their final fixture on 9 June 2026 to win the group and qualify directly for the World Cup.
For Albania, the draw took them to four points, keeping them third. They finished the campaign with a 5-2 home win over Montenegro on 9 June 2026, ending on seven points — their best points tally in a Women's World Cup qualifying group.
Czechia's next competitive matches after this were the final qualifier away to Wales (9 June 2026) and a potential play-off path. Albania travelled home to face Montenegro (9 June 2026).
Verdict
Czechia will rue the defensive lapse that allowed Levendi to equalise, having dominated the second half's opening exchanges. But credit belongs to Albania, who absorbed pressure, stayed organised and took their one clear chance. A fair result in a game of two sharp moments rather than sustained quality.
Attendance: 1,453 Referee: F. Wildfeuer
Match Events
Key match events between Czech Republic W and Albania W — 2 goals and 5 cards recorded during the match.
assist: Michaela Khýrová
assist: F. Berisha· Como W
Rivalry since 2025
Czech Republic W vs Albania W Head to Head Results· 3
Czech Republic W and Albania W have met 3 times — Czech Republic W won 3, Albania W won 0, with 0 draws. Their rivalry dates back to 2025. Czech Republic W leads the head-to-head with 3 victories from 3 meetings. A combined 15 goals have been scored across these fixtures, averaging 5.00 per match (12 for the home side, 3 for the visitors). Both teams scored in 3 matches (100%). Over 2.5 goals landed in 3 games (100%), making it a fixture that tends to produce goals. Czech Republic W are currently unbeaten in the last 3 meetings. The highest-scoring encounter finished 1–5 in 2026.
Statistics are for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
API data: 3 Jul 2026