Big comeback by Kosovo's women's national team: defeats Bulgaria and takes the group lead

Erëleta Memeti's goal in the 96th minute secured Kosovo another win in the European qualifiers for the 2027 World Cup. 

With Saturday's 2:1 victory over Bulgaria in Pristina, Kosovo has pulled clear at the top of the table and now has a real chance of winning Group C2.

Kosovo has four wins from four matches played and leads Group C2 with 12 points. The “Dardanet”, coached by head coach Sami Sermaxhaj, have scored 12 goals and conceded only two. Croatia remains second in the group with nine points, while third-placed Bulgaria has three points. Croatia defeated Gibraltar 9:0 on Saturday as well. 

Gibraltar is last, without a point.

Saturday's match at the “Fadil Vokrri” Stadium in Pristina, played in front of a very small number of spectators, began with Kosovo dominating. 

But it was Bulgaria who went into the break with a one-goal lead. Lora Petrova scored in the 42nd minute. 

After the break, Kosovo raised the pace of play and the score was quickly levelled. In the 52nd minute, defender Blerta Smaili capitalized on a poor clearance by the opposing goalkeeper. The ball remained near the goal, and Smaili scored without difficulty to make it 1:1. 

As the match was heading towards its conclusion with the score tied, Kosovo captain Erëleta Memeti took center stage. The Eintracht Frankfurt player in Germany's Bundesliga was assisted by Donjeta Halilaj. She then beautifully chipped the ball over goalkeeper Milena Karakoleva. The celebrations were huge, as Kosovo has moved very close to another historic achievement. Kosovo will play two more matches before the end of the 2027 World Cup qualifying campaign. On June 5, it will play Croatia, its direct rival for first place, again at the “Fadil Vokrri”. On June 9, it will play its final match away to Gibraltar. 

The group winner secures a place in the World Cup qualifying playoffs and, at the same time, promotion to League B in the next edition of the Nations League. The two best-placed teams finishing second out of the six groups in total will also qualify for the playoffs. 

In women's football, qualifying is organized by leagues, just like the Nations League. 

Kosovo's men's national team also appeared in the World Cup playoffs at the end of March. 

Kosovo had won the semifinal against Slovakia 4:3 in Bratislava, but lost the 2026 World Cup playoff final to Türkiye in Pristina, 1:0.