Albania forward Hamdi Salihi capitalized on a defensive error in the 62nd minute and give his side a 1-0 win over Belarus in Saturday's 2012 European Championship qualifier.
Belarus defender Aleksandr Martynovich appeared to have the ball under control on the edge of his area but inexplicably let it slide past him and goalkeeper Sergei Veremko watched helplessly as Salihi pounced on the ball to score.
The result leaves Albania and Belarus both on eight points from five games, four fewer than Group D leader France.
Albania dominated the match, while Belarus tried to secure a draw and only attacked after it had fallen behind. Belarus had just two shots on goal to Albania's nine.
The hosts nearly took the lead in the 41st, but Lorik Cana's shot hit the post.
Early in the second half, Veremko kept the Albanians at bay twice in the space of two minutes, first saving a close-range header from Salihi in the 50th and then blocking a long-range effort by Ansi Agolli.
Aleksandr Bychenok nearly equalized in the 71st but goalkeeper Sajmir Ujkani twice saved his shots.
In the 73rd, Salihi almost scored a second goal, but his shot from only 3 meters hit the post.
Lineups:
Albania: Saimir Ujkani, Andi Lila, Kristi Vangjeli, Lorik Cana, Ansi Agolli, Ervin Bulku, Ervin Skela (Klodian Duro, 80), Altin Lala, Admir Teli, Andi Salihi (Gjergj Muzaka, 90), Erjon Bogdani (Elvis Bakaj, 75)
Belarus: Sergei Veremko, Aleksandr Kulchiy (Aleksandr Bychenok, 62), Aleksandr Martynovich, Igor Shitov, Dmitri Molosh, Yan Tigorev, Sergei Omelyanchuk, Vyacheslav Hleb, Sergei Krivets (Leonid Kovel, 46), Anton Putilo (Pavel Sitko, 82), Sergei Kislyak.
