On March 25, 2025, North Macedonia and Wales faced off in a tense UEFA World Cup 2026 qualifying match, resulting in a 1-1 draw at the Tose Proeski National Arena in Skopje. The match highlighted both teams’ determination and skill, making it a thrilling encounter for fans.
The game was evenly contested, but North Macedonia managed to open the scoring in the first minute of stoppage time. Bojan Miovski capitalized on a defensive error by Wales’ Joe Allen, who misjudged a back pass intended for Joe Rodon. Miovski intercepted the ball and skillfully slotted it past goalkeeper Karl Darlow, giving North Macedonia the lead. Just as the home team seemed poised to secure a victory, Wales struck back. David Brooks, who had been substituted into the match, found the net just three minutes later with practically the last kick of the game, salvaging a vital point for Wales.
The match statistics reflected a closely fought battle, with North Macedonia holding 54% of possession compared to Wales' 46%. Both teams managed only one shot on goal throughout the match, indicating a defensive struggle. Additionally, refereed by Jérôme Brisard, the match saw each side receive two yellow cards, emphasizing the physical nature of the contest.
Macedonia came into this match with significant momentum, having secured a 3-0 victory against Liechtenstein just days prior. They aimed to continue this trend and solidify their position in Group J. Wales, on the other hand, had also achieved a 3-1 victory against Kazakhstan and were looking to capitalize on their form.
In terms of tactical setups, North Macedonia’s head coach Blagoja Milevski opted for a 4-3-3 formation, with Stole Dimitrievski in goal and a front line that included Tihomir Kostadinov and Eljif Elmas. Wales’ manager Craig Bellamy employed a more defensive 5-4-1 structure, featuring a back five that aimed to absorb pressure while utilizing the pace of their forwards to strike on the break.
The first half provided few clear opportunities, with both sides probing and attempting to dominate possession. As the match progressed, Wales seemed to gain more control of the game, creating slightly more chances, but ultimately lacking the finishing touches. The first yellow card was shown to Nikola Serafimov of North Macedonia at the 49th minute, followed by further disciplinary actions for players from both teams as tensions rose.
The second half continued in a similar vein, with both sides exchanging regular substitutions as they sought to change the flow of the game. North Macedonia substituted Bojan Miovski off for Aleksandar Trajkovski just after their goal, a move intended to preserve their lead. Substitutions were frequent as the coaches tried to outmaneuver each other tactically, aiming for the crucial goal that could swing the match in their favor.
As the match neared its conclusion, it appeared Wales may leave empty-handed until Brooks’ late equalizer delivered an unexpected twist. Consequently, the draw left Wales disappointed but still in contention for a qualifying spot for the World Cup, with Craig Bellamy reflecting on the team's overall performance. “I felt we were the better team... but in a manner I have to accept,” he stated, acknowledging the importance of adapting after such a setback.
With this match ending in a tie, both North Macedonia and Wales earned a crucial point, showcasing their competitive spirit and desire to qualify for the World Cup. North Macedonia remains steady in Group J with four points after two matches, while Wales too sits on four points, still alive in the race for automatic qualification. Their paths will continue to battle as they look towards upcoming fixtures against formidable opponents in a bid to secure their place in the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
The next challenge for North Macedonia will be a matchup against Belgium, while Wales will look to gain momentum against Liechtenstein. Both matches will be pivotal in determining how Group J shapes up as the qualifiers progress.
Ultimately, this encounter between North Macedonia and Wales encapsulated the unpredictability and intensity of the World Cup qualifying process, thrilling fans with a dramatic finish before both teams head back to the drawing board for their next challenges.
