Albania beat Finland 2-0 in Tirana to move top of their UEFA Nations League group and end the visitors' hopes of promotion.

Ernest Muci opened the scoring in the 35th minute at the Air Albania Stadium, and Rey Manaj doubled the lead with a header five minutes into the second half. The win took Albania to 12 points in Group C1, two clear of Belarus and five ahead of Finland, with one match still to play.

The hosts, managed by Rolando Maran, made the perfect start to the second half. Elseid Hysaj delivered a pinpoint cross from the right flank, and Manaj rose between two defenders to head the ball into the bottom corner. It was the striker's third goal in four Nations League matches.

Finland had their chances, but they could not take them. A missed opportunity from Benjamin Kallman proved costly, with Albania doubling their lead from their very next attack. Substitute Anssi Suhonen then ghosted in at the far post late on but could not make proper contact, and the ball bobbled agonisingly wide.

Ten-man Finland run out of answers

Finland's frustration boiled over as the match wore on. They were reduced to 10 men when Miro Tenho was sent off for a poor high-studs challenge on Muci as Albania broke away, and from that point there was no way back for the visitors.

Albania had set the tone early. Qazim Laci saw an effort flash past the post in the opening stages, and the hosts kept pressing in front of a capacity crowd. Manaj almost made it 3-0 with a turn and shot inside the box soon after his goal, only for goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky to tip his drive round the post.

Manaj was replaced by Mirlind Daku in the 70th minute, but Albania saw the game out comfortably to guarantee themselves a top-two finish in the group. Finland, who began the evening in third place, two points behind Albania and trailing Belarus on goal difference, now cannot win promotion to League B.

Albania control their own destiny

The result leaves Albania in charge of their own fate. Their final group match is against Belarus, and a win there would seal first place and promotion back to the second tier of the Nations League at the first attempt.

It was a satisfying night for Maran's side, who had lost the reverse fixture 2-1 in Finland in October. This time they were the better side from start to finish, combining a solid defensive display with two well-taken goals.

For Finland, the defeat was a bitter disappointment after a campaign that had promised more. They will now play out their final group game knowing that promotion is beyond them, while Albania can look ahead to a decisive night against Belarus with top spot in their own hands.