Albania secure first win to dent Hungary hopes

Albania collected their first points in UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying Group 4 with an away victory over Hungary.

The hosts had the chance to join second-placed Austria on nine points with a win but Vasil Shkurtaj's strike 15 minutes from time and a Herolind Shala goal soon after put a dent in their qualifcation hopes. It was the visitors' first win but one that still leaves them bottom of the table.

Krisztián Adorján, who scored in Hungary's first two qualifiers, came closest to an opener in a tight first half, but his 29th-minute free-kick was well saved by Aldo Teqja. Adorján resumed his duel with the Albania No1 almost immediately only for the goalkeeper to keep the score goalless with a save low to his right.

Albania captain Ergys Kace and Shala tried their luck from long range either side of the interval, before Hungary's László Kleinheisler let fly with an effort which sailed narrowly wide. The breakthrough finally came in the 75th minute when Shkurtaj cut in from the left and drilled a low shot past Levente Jova.

Shala doubled the advantage in the 83rd minute with a delightful left-footed curler into the top left-hand corner and, although Barnabás Bese went close to a consolation for the hosts late on, Teqja refused to be beaten.