Albania beat Finland 2-0 at Air Albania Stadium in Tirana in the fifth round of UEFA Nations League Group C1. The victory lifted Albania to 12 points and first place in the group.

Ernest Muçi opened the scoring in the 35th minute with a fine long-range strike. Rey Manaj doubled Albania’s lead in the 50th minute, heading home a cross from Elseid Hysaj.

Finland’s task became harder in the 68th minute when Tenho received a red card for a foul on Muçi. Albania continued to create chances, but did not add to its two-goal lead. Hoxha found the net in the 83rd minute, but the referee disallowed the goal because the ball had already gone out of play.

/a.p./