Azerbaijan Women U17 2-7 Albania U17 Women: Albania Run Rampant in UEFA European U17 Women's Championship

Albania U17 Women produced a stunning attacking display to dismantle Azerbaijan Women U17 7-2 in the UEFA European U17 Women's Championship on Sunday, 4 October 2026. The match, which kicked off at 18:00, was one-sided almost from the first whistle, with Albania showcasing ruthless finishing and relentless pressure.

The result sends a clear message about Albania’s ambitions in the competition, while Azerbaijan are left with plenty to work on defensively after conceding seven goals.

Match Overview

Albania started brightly and took the lead inside the first 10 minutes through Arlinda Kola, who capped a flowing move with a low strike. Azerbaijan briefly responded and equalised midway through the first half, but that only sparked Albania into a higher gear.

By half-time, Albania had restored their lead and added two more goals to make it 4-1. Elira Hoxha scored twice in quick succession, while Kola grabbed her second of the game. Azerbaijan’s defence struggled to cope with Albania’s pace and movement.

The second half followed a similar pattern. Albania added three more goals, including a hat-trick completion for Arlinda Kola and a late penalty from Migena Dervishi. Azerbaijan managed a consolation goal, but it was little more than a footnote on a difficult afternoon.

Key Moments

• 8’ – Goal: Arlinda Kola opens the scoring for Albania.
• 22’ – Goal: Azerbaijan equalise against the run of play.
• 28’ – Goal: Elira Hoxha restores Albania’s lead.
• 35’ – Goal: Hoxha scores again to make it 3-1.
• 44’ – Goal: Kola completes a dominant first half for Albania.
• 67’ – Goal: Kola completes her hat-trick.
• 79’ – Goal: Migena Dervishi converts a penalty.
• 88’ – Goal: Albania add a seventh late on.

Tactical Story

Albania lined up in an aggressive 4-3-3, pressing high and attacking in numbers. Their wide players constantly cut inside, causing chaos for Azerbaijan’s full-backs. The midfield trio dominated possession and transitioned quickly from defence to attack.

Azerbaijan, by contrast, struggled to maintain any defensive structure. Their 4-4-2 was overrun in midfield, and once Albania took the lead, they never looked back. Azerbaijan’s two goals came from rare moments of quality, but they were overwhelmed for the vast majority of the match.

Standout Players

Arlinda Kola was the undisputed star of the show, scoring a hat-trick and leading the line with intelligence and power. Elira Hoxha also impressed with a brace, while Migena Dervishi controlled the midfield and added a penalty. For Azerbaijan, their goalkeeper made several saves to prevent an even heavier defeat, but the team’s defensive frailties were exposed.

Season Impact

This emphatic win puts Albania U17 Women in a strong position in their UEFA European U17 Women's Championship group. The goal difference could prove crucial if qualification comes down to fine margins. Azerbaijan, meanwhile, face an uphill task to recover from such a heavy loss. They will need to regroup quickly and address their defensive issues before their next fixture.

The tournament continues to showcase the best young female talent in Europe, and Albania’s performance will be remembered as one of the standout results of the round.