Israel loses to Kosovo in Euro 2024 qualifying game
Israel’s chances of reaching the European Championship finals went down Sunday after its 1-0 loss to Kosovo in their delayed qualifying game
Israel loses to Kosovo in Euro 2024 qualifying game
Show all 9Support truly
independent journalism
Our mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.
Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.
Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.
![Louise Thomas](https://static.independent.co.uk/static-assets/support-us/louise-thomas.png)
Louise Thomas
Editor
Israel’s chances of reaching the European Championship finals went down Sunday after its 1-0 loss to Kosovo in their delayed qualifying game.
It was the first soccer match for Israel since the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas and the ongoing war in Gaza. It had originally been scheduled for Oct. 15 but was postponed.
Kosovo fans whistled Israeli players when they had the ball but the game passed off peacefully in Pristina.
Milot Rashica scored the only goal in the 41st minute. He controlled the ball in the area and under pressure managed a strong shot which Israel goalkeeper Omri Glazer couldn't stop.
Glazer had a busy night, including denying Vedat Muriqi twice in the second half.
Israel's first good opportunity came in the 34th with a close-range header from Eran Zahavi. Goalkeeper Arijanet Muric saved a shot from Israel's Oscar Gloukh nine minutes from the end.
Israel went down to 10 men in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time after Roy Revivo was sent off for a second yellow card.
Fourth-place Kosovo has 10 points in Group I, one point behind third-place Israel.
But Israel is five points behind leader Romania, which has played one game more, and four points behind Switzerland. The top two teams automatically qualify for Euro 2024 in Germany.
“We are more disappointed because we cannot give some happiness or (a) smile for our people at home,” Israel coach Alon Hazan said after the game.
___
AP soccer: apnews.com/hub/soccer
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.