Albania lost 2-1 to Finland at Helsinki Olympic Stadium in a Nations League League C Group 1 match. Rey Manaj put Albania ahead in the fourth minute with a header from Kristjan Asllani’s corner. Goalkeeper Etrit Berisha then made a mistake in the 22nd minute and had to intervene outside his area after a misplaced pass. Rolando Maran replaced him with goalkeeper Alen Sherri. Finland equalised in the 26th minute when Leo Walta scored from the resulting free kick.

Albania continued to threaten from set pieces before halftime. Ylber Ramadani missed a clear chance in the 42nd minute. Maran made another change at halftime, bringing on Arber Daku for Manaj. Berat Gjimshiti and Mario Mitaj also had chances after the break, but neither converted. Finland took the lead in the 71st minute when Walta scored again from a set-piece situation.

Albania pushed for an equaliser in the closing stages. Myrto Uzuni appealed for a penalty in the 80th minute, but VAR did not award one and the referee showed him a yellow card. Referee Rob Hennessy added five minutes of stoppage time. Mehmeti had another opportunity from a set piece in the fourth added minute, but Albania could not find an equaliser. The match ended 2-1 in Helsinki.

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