Albania W came from behind to beat Montenegro W 5–2 in World Cup qualifying, with Megi Doçi scoring twice after a red card swing.
Match Videos
Match Analysis
AI SummaryHow it unfolded
Montenegro stunned the hosts inside 20 minutes when Medina Dešić finished a low cross from Andjela Toskovic to put the visitors ahead. The lead lasted barely 60 seconds. Kalac was shown a straight red card for a foul on 22 minutes, and Albania capitalised immediately — Megi Doçi converted a penalty two minutes later to level the scores.
Despite being a player down, Montenegro regained the lead just before half-time through Jasna Djokovic on 45 minutes. But Albania hit back again in first-half stoppage time: Fortesa Berisha scored in the fourth minute of added time to make it 2–2 at the break.
The second half belonged entirely to the home side. Doçi struck her second of the night on 63 minutes, finishing from an Alma Hilaj assist to put Albania ahead for the first time. Gresa Berisha made it 4–2 five minutes later, and Arbiona Bajraktari added a fifth on 70 minutes — both assists from Ezmiralda Franja.
The turning point
Kalac's red card in the 22nd minute changed the complexion of the match completely. Before the dismissal, Montenegro had controlled the opening exchanges and led 1–0. After it, they conceded a penalty, lost their defensive shape, and eventually shipped five goals. That Albania scored four of their five goals in the period after the red card tells the story.
Key performers
Megi Doçi (Albania W) — The match-winner. A composed penalty under pressure and a well-taken second-half strike made the difference. Two goals from three shots on target.
Ezmiralda Franja (Albania W) — Came off the bench to provide two assists inside three minutes (68', 70'), effectively killing the contest.
Medina Dešić (Montenegro W) — Scored a fine opening goal and was Montenegro's most dangerous attacking outlet before the red card disrupted their rhythm.
Player of the match: Megi Doçi.
By the numbers — interpreted
Albania's five goals came from just seven shots on target, reflecting a clinical finishing display once Montenegro were reduced to ten. The 2–2 half-time scoreline flattered the visitors, who had already conceded a penalty and were playing a player short for 68 minutes. Montenegro's red card meant they mustered only limited attacking threat after the interval, with their second goal arriving before the dismissal truly took effect.
What it means
Albania finished Group B1 in third place with 7 points from six matches (2 wins, 1 draw, 3 losses), securing a berth in the European play-offs for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup. They will face Wales in the first round of the play-offs, with the first leg away on 9 October 2026 and the second leg at home on 13 October 2026.
Montenegro finished bottom of the group with just 1 point from six matches (0 wins, 1 draw, 5 losses) and were eliminated from World Cup qualification.
Verdict
A game that swung decisively on a red card. Albania were second-best for the opening 20 minutes but showed composure to hit back immediately after Kalac's dismissal and clinical finishing to put the game beyond reach in the second half. Montenegro will rue a moment of indiscipline that cost them a promising start.
Match Events
Key match events between Albania W and Montenegro W — 7 goals and 4 cards recorded during the match.
assist: A. Toskovic
Penalty
Rivalry since 2026
Albania W vs Montenegro W Head to Head Results· 1
Albania W and Montenegro W have met 1 times — Albania W won 1, Montenegro W won 0, with 0 draws. Their rivalry dates back to 2026. Albania W leads the head-to-head with 1 victory from 1 meeting. A combined 3 goals have been scored across these fixtures, averaging 3.00 per match (2 for the home side, 1 for the visitors). Both teams scored in 1 match (100%). Over 2.5 goals landed in 1 game (100%), making it a fixture that tends to produce goals. The highest-scoring encounter finished 1–2 in 2026.
Statistics are for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
API data: 3 Jul 2026