World Cup Qualifying - Europe | Group Stage

Mar 25, 2025 at 7.45pm UK

Stadion Kraj Bistrice

Montenegro vs Faroe Islands

Match preview

Pitted against a Gibraltar side that had lost each of their previous 20 World Cup qualifiers, Montenegro looked set to make unwanted history when Los Llanis midfielder Dan Bent scored a shock opener inside 13 minutes.

However, none other than veteran striker Stevan Jovetic quickly levelled for the Montenegrins, before Marko Tuci's header completed the turnaround and a late strike from Lazio defender Adam Marusic completed Prosinecki's second-half fightback.

Having avoided a disastrous result against one of Europe's perennial whipping boys, Montenegro can now enjoy the view from their throne - they currently lead the Czech Republic on goal difference.

Croatia will soon occupy the fifth and final spot in Group L, although they will drop down to that section as losers of their Nations League quarter-final against France - another massive obstacle to Montenegro's hopes of qualifying for their first World Cup as an independent nation.

The hosts have also been their own worst enemy at the back, with Bent's opener for Gibraltar on Saturday marking the ninth consecutive game in which Montenegro have conceded since keeping their last clean sheet in a friendly against North Macedonia on 25 March 2024.

Unsurprisingly, the Faroe Islands, who have yet to earn their baptism in the finals, were the overwhelming underdogs going into their clash with the Czech Republic, although they looked on course for a shock point when Gunnar Vatnhamar cancelled out Patrik Schick's opener.

Vatnhamar's response came in the 83rd minute, but on 85 minutes Bayer Leverkusen marksman Schick scored his second header of the game to break the Faroese hearts and deny them only their ninth win in World Cup qualifying.

The world's 137th-ranked nation have now lost five consecutive qualifiers since their last success - a 2-1 win over Moldova in September 2021 - and Eydun Klakstein's side have now won just one of their last 10 tournaments.

However, they have done enough to retain their League C status in the UEFA Nations League, and although they have now lost six of their last seven away games in all competitions, they have only lost by a single goal in each of their last four.

However, the Faroe Islands have only beaten Latvia, Luxembourg and Malta away from home in World Cup qualifying, a statistic that makes for uncomfortable reading ahead of their first-ever senior international against Montenegro.

Recent Performance

Montenegro World Cup Qualifying - Europe form:W

Montenegro form (all competitions):LLLLWW

Faroe Islands World Cup Qualifying - Europe form:L

Faroe Islands form (all competitions):LDDWLL

Team News

Montenegro coach Prosinecki is likely to name an unchanged side from the one that defeated Gibraltar, although Preston North End striker Milutin Osmajic - recently charged by the FA for a racially abusive incident involving Burnley's Hannibal Mejbri - is unavailable through injury.

In Osmajic's absence, Stefan Mugosa led the line against Gibraltar, with Jovetic occupying the number 10 position, and the latter scored a record-extending 37th goal for his country on his 84th cap.

The former Manchester City striker needs just three more caps to equal the Montenegro men's record, while Marusic is certain to be promoted to the first XI on his 66th appearance, which would be the fourth-most for his country.

The Faroe Islands, on the other hand, were forced into an unplanned change against the Czech Republic when right-back Jann Benjaminsen went off with an injury after 39 minutes.

Joannes Danielsen is likely to be promoted to the first XI in Benjaminsen's place this week, but the visitors are otherwise in good shape and should be able to build on their spirited performance against the Czechs.

Possible starting lineup

Montenegro possible starting lineup:

Nikic; Vesovic, Tuci, Sipcic, Gasevic; Jankovic, Loncar; Marusic, Jovetic, Krstovic; Mugosa

Faroe Islands possible starting lineup:

Reynatrod; Danielsen, Vatnhamar, Faero, Edmundsson, Davidsen; Frederiksberg, Hansson, Hendriksson, Sorensen; Knudsen