Meeting for just the seventh time, England and Albania will clash in World Cup qualifying this week, as both take their first step on the road towards the 2026 finals.
The Three Lions have dominated their east-European counterparts to date, with a flawless record in six previous encounters between two footballing nations of very different stature.
In fact, ahead of their latest trip to London, the Albanians have scored just once home or away, while continental powerhouses England have racked up goals galore.
Here, Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at their head-to-head record and previous meetings.
© Imago
Head-to-head record
Previous meetings: Six
England wins: Six
Draws: None
Albania wins: None
Previous meetings
Nov 12, 2021: England 5-0 Albania (World Cup Qualifying – Europe Group Stage)
Mar 28, 2021: Albania 0-2 England (World Cup Qualifying – Europe Group Stage)
Sep 05, 2001: England 2-0 Albania (World Cup Qualifying – Europe Group Stage)
Mar 28, 2001: Albania 1-3 England (World Cup Qualifying – Europe Group Stage)
Apr 25, 1989: England 5-0 Albania (World Cup Qualifying – Europe Group Stage)
Mar 07, 1989: Albania 0-2 England (World Cup Qualifying – Europe Group Stage)
Each of the nations’ contests so far have come in qualifying for various World Cup finals – respectively, on the road to Italy, Japan and South Korea, then Qatar.
When they first convened, back in March 1989, Albania were propping up the group table, having suffered two defeats from two. England had been held at home by Sweden in their opening fixture, leaving manager Bobby Robson under pressure, as Poland were also vying for a place at Italia ’90.
An early goal from John Barnes settled the visitors’ nerves in Tirana, before Bryan Robson netted their second after the break. Just a few weeks later, the teams met again at Wembley.
On that occasion, Albania’s teenage goalkeeper conceded five goals against the Three Lions’ fearsome attack, as 17-year-old debutant Blendi Nallbani was placed under siege. Peter Beardsley bagged a brace after Gary Lineker had opened the scoring, with England ultimately cruising to victory on home turf.
© Imago
More than two decades on, Sven-Goran Eriksson‘s side netted three times during the final half-hour to win in Albania: Paul Scholes, Michael Owen and Andrew Cole all scored, while Altin Rraklli registered the Kuqezinjte’s first – and still only – goal against England.
Almost six months later, the hosts ran out 2-0 winners on English soil, with Owen and Robbie Fowler striking either side of half time to edge their team towards the 2002 World Cup, where they would reach the quarter-finals.
The countries’ most recent meetings then came four years ago, as they fought for a place in Qatar.
First, a 2-0 away victory saw England maintain their successful start to qualifying, as Harry Kane and Mason Mount found the net to make it two wins from two in Group I.
Later on in that campaign, captain Kane claimed the match ball at Wembley, taking the hosts one step closer to the 2022 World Cup. Not only did the Three Lions’ prolific striker fire home a first-half hat-trick, but Harry Maguire and Jordan Henderson were also on target in another five-goal triumph.
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