Montenegro Beats Depleted Andorra 2-0 in Friendly

Andorra's national football team lost 2-0 to Montenegro in a friendly at Podgorica City Stadium on Friday, ending a four-month break since their November match against Finland. The depleted squad, missing Iker Álvarez due to club commitments with Córdoba and Joan Cervós with a serious knee injury, fielded up to six debutants and resisted until late strikes from Fatos Bećiraj Mugosa and Viktor Osmajić.

Around 2,900 spectators saw Koldo Álvarez de Eulate's side start aggressively despite Montenegro's possession dominance. Berto Rosas, in form with 13 goals this season for UD Logroñés, tested early with a long-range shot ruled offside. Andorra threatened from set pieces, including Christian García's header from a Rosas flick-on, while Álex Ruiz coped with headers from Rubežić and a low drive from Sead Haksabanović.

Montenegro took the lead in the 41st minute via Mugosa's penalty, awarded after Albert Llovera and Marc García fouled the retiring captain during a cross. Mugosa, honoured pre-match, received a standing ovation when substituted in the 65th minute.

Andorra nearly equalised shortly after halftime when Rosas controlled a long ball, crossed, and beat Petar Popović, but a millimetre offside call disallowed it. Álvarez made changes: Guillaume Lopez for Rosas (55'), Joao Da Silva for De las Heras and Marc Vales for Christian García (both 55'), Xisco Pires for Ruiz (72'), Chus Rubio for Babot and Jordi Aláez for Álex Martínez (both 72'). Late efforts from Álex Martínez, Lopez, and a combination involving substitute Izan Fernández came close, but Osmajić converted a rebound from Camaj's shot—parried by Pires—in the 79th minute.

Ahead of UEFA Nations League matches in September, Álvarez had emphasised preparation at a Torremirona training camp, stressing defensive solidity and chance creation against a competitive Montenegro side coached by Mirko Vučinić. Marc Vales, earning his 103rd cap, highlighted the value of friendlies to build cohesion. Andorra face San Marino in Serravalle on Tuesday.

**Match details** **Montenegro 2-0 Andorra** Scorers: Mugosa pen (41'), Osmajić (79') Montenegro: Popović; Vesović (Roganović 46'), Rubežić, Vujačić, Radunović (Camaj 66'); Lončar (Osmajić 78'), Šimun (Brnović 46'), Vukotić (Vukčević 66'), Haksabanović (Jovović 67'); Jovetić (Sekulić 32'), Mugosa (Eraković 65'). Coach: Mirko Vučinić. Andorra: Á. Ruiz (Pires 72'); M. San Nicolás, Llovera, Ch. García (M. Vales 55'), M. García; Guillén, De las Heras (Joao Da Silva 55'), Babot (Chus Rubio 72'), Á. Martínez (J. Aláez 72'); Cucu, B. Rosas (G. Lopez 55'). Coach: Koldo Álvarez de Eulate. Yellow cards: Babot (11'), M. San Nicolás (46'). Referee: Enea Jorgji (Albania).