Kosovo nets draw in first ever competitive match

Gareth Bale meanwhile scored twice as Wales trounced Moldova 4-0 in Cardiff in a Group D game.

Confusion over paperwork threatened to mar Kosovo’s first World Cup qualifying match, more than eight years after the former province of Serbia declared independence.

Kosovo’s entry into 2018 World Cup qualifying has tested rules on switching allegiances.

“We reaped our rewards in the second-half for what we did right in the first-half”, said Lopetegui. “I had dreamt about that”.

Finland, which is seeking its first World Cup appearance, had taken the lead in the 18th minute through Paulus Arajuuri.

Both players are now available to play in Kosovo’s first ever competitive worldwide fixture when they begin their campaign to qualify for the 2018 Russia World Cup against Finland in Turku on Monday – a game which Finland’s Kosovo-born midfielder Perparim Hetemaj has said he will not play in. The case of midfielder Valon Berisha, who played for Norway before Kosovo gained Federation Internationale de Football Association and UEFA membership in May, was the last to be resolved before the 9:45 p.m. (1845 GMT) kickoff.

Kosovo kept up the pressure, eventually equalizing on the hour mark with Valon Berisha striking a penalty past Luka Hradecky, Eintracht Frankfurt’s goalkeeper.

The Kosovo national team has previously had nine players cleared to play who had previously represented six different European countries.

Kosovo coach Albert Bunjaki called it a “historic match”. “The players look very motivated … the only disturbing fact is [not knowing] if they will be allowed to play, which we are expecting to happen on Monday”.

Spain began life under new coach Julien Lopetegui in ideal style while Gareth Bale inspired Euro 2016 sensations Wales and Kosovo earned a historic point in World Cup qualifying on Monday.

It is struggle to see any real value in backing a road win at 6/1 here.

Italy had defender Giorgio Chiellini sent off as they were made to fight for a 3-1 win over Israel in Haifa, while Group G rivals Spain ran out 8-0 winners over Liechtenstein in Leon with two goals each for Diego Costa, David Silva and Alvaro Morata.

The news sparked emotional scenes in Turku’s Hamburger Bors hotel, where players and officials had gathered for much of the day amid growing tension.