Here’s why the Kosovo national football team are the heroes of the international break

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 ThaÃ§i (@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!