Belgium U19 2-0 Kosovo U19: De Smet and Peeters Secure Comfortable Qualifying Win

Belgium U19 produced a controlled 2-0 victory over Kosovo U19 in their UEFA European U19 Football Championship qualifying encounter on November 11, 2026. Goals from Noah De Smet and Milan Peeters either side of the hour mark gave Belgium a deserved three points, while Kosovo U19 were left to rue a lack of cutting edge in the final third.

Match overview

Belgium U19 started brightly, pressing high and forcing Kosovo U19 into early mistakes at the back. The Belgian midfield dictated the tempo, switching play from side to side and creating overloads in wide areas. Kosovo U19, by contrast, sat deep in a compact block and looked to hit on the counter-attack, but they struggled to keep possession long enough to relieve pressure.

The opening goal arrived in the 23rd minute and was a reward for Belgium's sustained pressure. A neat passing move down the right ended with a low cross into the box, and Noah De Smet guided the ball home from close range. Kosovo responded with a brief spell of pressure before half-time, but Belgium's goalkeeper and defence held firm to protect the lead at the interval.

Key moments

• 23rd minute: Belgium take the lead as Noah De Smet finishes a well-worked move down the right flank.
• 41st minute: Kosovo U19's best chance of the first half falls to their striker, but a last-ditch block deflects the shot wide.
• 68th minute: Belgium double the advantage when Milan Peeters curls a precise effort into the far corner after cutting in from the left.
• 82nd minute: Kosovo win a free kick in a promising position, but the delivery is headed clear by Belgium's centre-back.
• 90+3 minutes: Belgium goalkeeper makes a late save to preserve the clean sheet and seal the win.

Tactical story

Belgium U19 lined up in a 4-3-3 and used their midfield triangle to dominate the ball. Their press was coordinated and aggressive, with the front three cutting off passing lanes into Kosovo's midfield. That pressure forced Kosovo into long clearances for much of the first half, allowing Belgium to win the ball back quickly and sustain attacks.

Kosovo U19 defended in a 5-4-1 shape when out of possession, looking to keep the central areas congested and force Belgium wide. The plan worked reasonably well for long spells, but Belgium's movement and quick passing eventually created the gaps needed to score. Kosovo's counter-attacks were rare and often isolated, with their lone striker starved of support.

After Belgium's second goal, the game became more open. Kosovo pushed more players forward in search of a route back into the match, but that left space for Belgium to exploit on the break. Belgium managed the closing stages professionally, slowing the tempo and protecting their two-goal advantage.

Standout performers

Noah De Smet was a constant threat for Belgium U19, scoring the opener and linking play intelligently between the lines. Milan Peeters added the second with a moment of individual quality and was equally diligent in his defensive work from the left. Midfielder Arthur Lemaire deserves credit for controlling the rhythm of the game, while the Belgian centre-back pairing dealt confidently with Kosovo's limited forward forays.

For Kosovo U19, goalkeeper Ardit Berisha made several important saves to keep the scoreline respectable. Defender Leonit Gashi was brave in the tackle and produced a number of timely clearances, particularly in the first half. Kosovo's captain worked tirelessly in midfield, but the team lacked the final pass needed to turn promising moments into clear chances.

What the result means

The 2-0 win gives Belgium U19 three valuable points in their UEFA European U19 Football Championship qualifying campaign and strengthens their position in the group standings. A clean sheet will also please the coaching staff, especially after Kosovo's late pressure tested their concentration.

Kosovo U19 remain without the result they wanted, but their defensive organisation for long periods suggests they can be competitive in their next fixture. The challenge now is to find more attacking threat while maintaining the discipline that kept Belgium at bay for much of the first half. For Belgium, the focus will be on building momentum and turning controlled performances into consistent victories.