The score was 0-0 and the game was in extra time when Kosovo's players left the pitch in Bukarest in protest against the audience chanting "Serbia".
The match was not completed and it was unclear for a long time what would happen next.
Now, the European Football Association Uefa has made a decision in the matter: Romania is awarded a 3-0 victory – which affects Sweden's World Championship chances.
Ranks ahead of Sweden
With the late three-pointer, Romania becomes the best group winner in the C division, two points better than Sweden, and is thus ranked ahead of Blågult among the group winners in the Nations League. Four group winners, who do not finish top two in their World Championship qualifying group, get a place in the playoff for the World Championship 2026.
Group winners in the twelve World Championship qualifying groups go directly to the championship – twelve runners-up and the four current NL group winners get to play in the playoff.
The Swedish Football Association has previously been clear that they intend to appeal such a decision.
If it turns out that Uefa gives Romania a 3-0 victory, we will definitely look into what we can do. We had hoped that their decision would have come before our match, said national team manager Stefan Pettersson after Sweden's 6-0 win over Azerbaijan.
Fined
Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, which Serbia has not recognized. The two teams do not play each other in Uefa and Fifa tournaments.
Serbia was fined by Uefa in June this year, after a banner with a provocation against Kosovo was displayed during the European Championship match between Serbia and England. Disciplinary measures were also taken against Serbia during the World Championship 2022, after the team hung a flag in their dressing room depicting Kosovo as part of Serbia.
Romania and Kosovo have also been fined by Uefa for their behavior during the match, approximately 1.5 million kronor and around 70,000 kronor, respectively.
