Kosovo Shuts Out Andorra 3-0 in Friendly, Nine Yellows for Visitors Including Coach

Andorra's national football team suffered a 3-0 defeat to Kosovo in their final summer friendly at Pristina's Fadil Vokrri Stadium, closing the international window with senior debuts for prospects Álex Cornellà and Nil Linares amid nine yellow cards for the visitors, including one for coach Koldo Álvarez de Eulate.

Kosovo, under Franco Foda and with players such as Hoffenheim's Fisnik Asllani, dominated possession early, completing 109 passes to Andorra's 23 in the first 17 minutes while forcing two corners from dangerous shots in the opening five. Andorra's initial attacking move around the 20th minute sparked a Kosovo counter, but goalkeeper Iker Álvarez made a key foot save to deny Baton Zabergja in a one-on-one.

Yellow cards quickly accumulated for Andorra: Gerard Solà, starting as forward from the under-21 side and son of futsal legend Xavi Solà, was first booked, followed by Eric de las Heras. Álvarez de Eulate earned one for protesting, with Pau Babot and Ot Remolins cautioned before the break. Kosovo opened the scoring in the 41st minute through an own goal—Asllani's free kick from outside the box hit the post, rebounded off Álvarez's back, and crossed the line. The hosts dedicated the goals to their late under-21 player Fatjon Bunjaku, killed in a traffic accident.

In the second half, a controversial penalty around the 53rd minute—minimal contact by Babot on Albion Rrahmani—saw Rrahmani convert centrally despite Álvarez's protests, which drew a yellow. Substitutions followed: Hugo Ferreira for de las Heras, Aron Rodrigo for Álex Martínez, and Guillaume Lopez for Solà. Ferreira nearly pulled one back with a close-range header saved by Bekaj.

Cornellà and Linares—son of former futsal international Josep Joan Linares—debuted in the 70th minute, replacing Moi San Nicolás and Cucu. Kosovo added a third in the 77th minute as Valmir Matoshi headed in a poorly defended set piece. Late moves included Chus Rubio, Kiko Pomares, and Marc Vales.

Albanian referee Juxhin Xhaja showed yellows to Andorra's Solà, de las Heras, Álvarez de Eulate, Babot, Remolins, Álvarez, Ferreira, Linares, and Rubio, plus one to Kosovo's Rexhbecaj.

Starting lineups: Kosovo—Bekaj, Vojvoda, Llir Krasniqi, Hajdari, Gallapeni, Avdullahu, Emërllahu, Jashari, Zabergja, Rrahmani, Asllani; Andorra—Álvarez, Biel Borra, Joel Guillén, Ian Olivera, San Nicolás, de las Heras, Babot, Martínez, Remolins, Solà, Cucu.

The loss followed a 1-0 home defeat to Iraq at Montilivi and a 2-0 win over Liechtenstein, Marc Pujol's international farewell. Álvarez de Eulate viewed Kosovo as useful preparation for Nations League opponents like Malta, praising defensive solidity and the two-week camp despite set-piece weaknesses. "They started at a higher gear than us, and we must learn from it. We can't give away a single minute," he said, highlighting positives in the debuts and group commitment but stressing improvements in dead-ball defending.