Israel lose first match since start of war in Gaza against Kosovo - in pictures

A Kosovo police officer secures the area at the Fadil Vokrri Stadium in Pristina, Kosovo as the Israeli national team arrive for a Euro 2024 Group I qualifier on Sunday, November 12, 2023. AP

Kosovo police secure the area prior to the Euro 2024 Group I match against Israel at the Fadil Vokrri Stadium in Pristina. AFP

Kosovo and Albania fans inside the stadium before the match. Reuters

Security measures were in place around the stadium before and during the match, including the deployment of special police units. Reuters

The game in Pristina, originally scheduled for October 15, was played under heavy security. Kosovo is predominantly Muslim but also a close ally of the United States and has good diplomatic relations with Israel. Reuters

A Kosovo police officer directs the traffic around the stadium. AP

Kosovo's defender #03 Fidan Aliti (R) fights for the ball with Israel's forward #19 Dor Turgeman during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group I qualifying football match between Kosovo and Israel at the Fadil-Vokrri stadium in Pristina on November 12, 2023. (Photo by ARMEND NIMANI / AFP)

Israel's midfielder #08 Dor Peretz (L) fights for the ball with Kosovo's defender #13 Lumbardh Dellova during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group I qualifying football match between Kosovo and Israel at the Fadil-Vokrri stadium in Pristina on November 12, 2023. (Photo by ARMEND NIMANI / AFP)

Israel defender Miguel Vitor, centre, fights for the ball with Kosovo midfielders Milot Rashica and Meriton Korenic. AFP

Kosovo's Milot Rashica celebrates with teammates after scoring the only goal in a win over Israel. AP

Ilir Krasniqi, left, of Kosovo in action against Dor Peretz of Israel. EPA

Kosovo players line up during the national anthems before the match. Reuters

Israel's players sing their national anthem ahead of the Euro 2024 Group I qualifier against Kosovo. AFP

Israel forward Tai Baribo heads the ball. AFP

Kosovo players celebrate their 1-0 victory over Israel. AFP

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Israel's football team took the field for the first time since the October 7 Hamas massacres and the start of the war in Gaza, losing 1-0 in Kosovo in a delayed Euro 2024 qualifier on Sunday.

The game in Pristina, originally scheduled for October 15, was played under heavy security. Kosovo is predominantly Muslim but also a close ally of the United States and has good diplomatic relations with Israel.

The match, which drew a small crowd on a rainy night, went off without a hitch.

Impressive security measures were in place around the stadium before and during the match, including the deployment of special police units.

The Israeli team's convoy to the stadium was also particularly closely watched as it travelled through the city.

"We see scenes with children, and we have experienced war ourselves," Driton Ajeti, a 37-year-old lawyer, told AFP.

"We are opposed to the events we are witnessing, but today we have come for the sport, and everything else is decided elsewhere."

Kosovo won thanks to a 41st-minute goal by Milot Rashica, who plays for Besiktas in Turkey.

Romania lead Group I, a point ahead of Switzerland. Israel stayed third, four points behind the Swiss and a point ahead of Kosovo.