If you managed to stay awake during the international break, you’ll have noticed that Kosovo had quite a night of firsts against Finland.
Congrats to Kosovo! #HISTORIC ð
1ï¸â£st-ever competitive match as FIFA/UEFA member
1ï¸â£st goal
1ï¸â£st point pic.twitter.com/sTl5BRvE7q— Onefootball (@Onefootball) September 6, 2016
Remarkably, several players had to endure a nervous wait regarding their eligibility.
Kosovo still waiting on eligibility of six players for tomorrow's game. FIFA decision expected at 3pm on matchday. Amazing.
— Nick Ames (@NickAmes82) September 4, 2016
But when it did all eventually kick off, Kosovo more than held their own, and pushed for a winner late on.
A draw that should be a win. Stats show how #Kosovo dominated #Finland in our first ever game. Immense. pic.twitter.com/ixIaZMivw3
— Xhemajl Rexha (@xhemajl_rexha) September 6, 2016
At the end of the game, even the opposition coach was full of praise for the new arrivals.
Hans Backe, Finland coach: "Kosovo was very lively. Full of energy. Could run for 90 minutes. Brave team. Very dangerous."
— James Montague (@JamesPiotr) September 5, 2016
And it was lovely to see the team applauding both sets of fans.
Kosovo team thanking the home and away fans pic.twitter.com/wUJ4KSxIZI
— James Montague (@JamesPiotr) September 5, 2016
President Hashim Thaci was proud of the team’s efforts as well.
#Kosovo scores its debut goal. Generations of players feel so proud after decades of isolation! Best of our country is yet to come! #WCQ
— Hashim Thaçi (@HashimThaciRKS) September 5, 2016
As a result, Kosovo are joint top of their qualifying group after one game, and only kept from pole position by alphabetical order!
A moment Kosovo will never forget! pic.twitter.com/hIdZFjKlnk
— UEFA EURO (@UEFAEURO) September 5, 2016
Keep up the good work, Kosovo.