FIFA World Cup qualifications: The qualifying hope of Sweden hit by 2-0 loss to Kosovo

The hope of Sweden to qualify for the World Cup was dented on Monday after it had sustained a 2-0 defeat to Kosovo, which sent Lindon Emerlllahu to pick up a second yellow card in the second half of the stopping time.

The Sweden, who gathered a 90th minute equalizer in a 2-2 draw to Slovenia on Friday, went back in the 26th minute when goalkeeper Robin Olsen only blocked the shot of Elvis Rexhbecaj for the rebound to fly from the center fan in the net.

Vedat Muriqi brought the score on 2-0 for Kosovo three minutes before the break and although Sweden Alexander Isak, the most expensive player in the Premier League history, brought after he had moved to Liverpool, it could not find it back to the game.

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The victory moved to second place in group B on three points, three behind Switzerland, who hit Slovenia 3-0 to make two victories of two. The Sweden are third on one point, for Slovenia on goal difference.

The top team in each group is directly eligible for the final of next year with second place in the play-offs.

Published on September 9, 2025