Israel lost 1-0 to Kosovo after a superb first-half goal by Milot Rashica in their rearranged European Championship qualifier at the Pristina City Stadium on Sunday.

Israel, playing in their first match since Hamas militants attacked the country on October 7, stay in third spot on 11 points from seven games, a point ahead of Kosovo who have played eight.

The Group I Euro 2024 match was originally scheduled for October 15 but was delayed because of the Hamas-Israel conflict.

Before the game Kosovo police had said in a statement that they had prepared an operation to control possible crowds, stopping criminal acts and other activities.

Although largely secular, Kosovo is more than 90 per cent Muslim. Many supporters of Palestine's cause called on social media for Kosovo to ban the Israel team from entering the country.

Israel recognised Kosovo as a sovereign state back in 2020 and both countries have established diplomatic relations.

After a rocky start, with the crowd booing following Israel's national anthem, the spirited visitors tried to open the scoring. However, Kosovo went ahead with a strike from Rashica after a Vedat Muriqi header in the 41st minute.

The visitors pushed for an equaliser but finished with 10 men when Roy Revivo was sent off in the 95th minute.

"Our country is more important than football," Israel coach Alon Hazan told a news conference. "We cannot separate the war from us. But we have to play football and we want to represent our country well."

Antoine Griezmann delivers

Madrid: Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann and Samuel Lino struck late in the second half as the hosts recovered to beat Villarreal 3-1 in their La Liga clash in the Spanish capital on Sunday.

Atletico are fourth on 28 points, two off Barcelona in third. Real Madrid are second with 32 behind surprise leaders Girona on 34. Atletico have a game in hand on their rivals.

Struggling Villarreal, who sacked manager Jose Rojo ‘Pacheta’ on Friday, took an early lead when Gerard Moreno netted a first-time strike on the rebound in the 20th minute.

But Atletico slowly took control of possession and equalised in added time before the break with a close-range strike by defender Axel Witsel from a cross by Griezmann.

Atletico had to wait until the 80th minute to take the lead when Griezmann fired home from close range after a superb first-time cross by substitute Pablo Barrios.

Stunning strike

Federico Dimarco scored with a lob from over 50 metres out and Hakan Calhanoglu netted a penalty as Inter Milan reclaimed top spot in Serie A with a 2-0 home win over Frosinone. Two minutes before half-time, Dimarco surged past the halfway line and let fly with a looping effort that sailed over rival keeper Stefano Turati.

Reuters