North Macedonia v Wales LIVE: Reaction and result as Brooks rescues a point in stoppage time madness
Brooks levelled the scoring moments after North Macedonia bagged what looked like the winner
David Brooks scored with the final kick of the game in stoppage time drama to spare Craig Bellamy’s unbeaten record as Wales rescued a point against North Macedonia.
The hosts thought they’d won it as Bojan Miovski capitalised on a defensive error from Joe Allen to slot home past Karl Darlow in the 91st minute.
But in the sixth minute of added time - two minutes more than the allotted four - Brooks poked into the opposition net to equalise and ensure his side didn’t lose ground early in the race for World Cup qualification.
The game looked destined to end goalless after an uneventful 90 minutes - but reached its crescendo in mind-blowing fashion to leave both sets of fans stunned come the final whistle.
Relive all the action and reaction from tonight’s match with our live blog below:
North Macedonia 0-0 Wales
64 mins: Bellamy has opted to bring off Dan James as Kiefer Moore enters the fray.
This comes minutes after Churlinov and Atanasov came on for the hosts.
North Macedonia 0-0 Wales
59 mins: The referee stops the game on the 59th minute as Skopje pays tribute to those who tragically lost their lives in a nightclub fire on Saturday.
Unity on and off the pitch as all in the stadium pay their respects.
North Macedonia 0-0 Wales
58 mins: This is turning into an end-to-end contest.
North Macedonia press the Wales box - but after being dispossessed, the visitors break quickly through Johnson. He pulls it back to Broadhead on the edge of the box but he can’t control his effort as it flies over.
Then down the other Elmas tries bending it towards the far corner, well blocked as Darlow went dove across.
North Macedonia 0-0 Wales
56 mins: CLOSE! Daniel James has been at the heart of Wales’s attacking efforts so far, and he just came inches from finding an inadvertent opener.
He dances into the box and tries to fire it towards the back post for a tap in - but as the defender misses the clearance, it very nearly creeps in.
North Macedonia 0-0 Wales
52 mins: Just like the first half, Wales have started this second period well.
They’re moving it about nicely and frustrating the home crowd, with their side unable to get any of the ball.
Joe James just had a pop from range, simple save as it trickled towards goal.
North Macedonia 0-0 Wales
47 mins: Clever move as Jordan James ticks it about with Brennan Johnson before directing a ball across the top of the box looking for a Wales shirt.
No takers, unfortunately for Craig Bellamy’s side. But a positive start.
BACK UNDERWAY! North Macedonia 0-0 Wales
46 mins: We’re off again in Skopje.
HALF-TIME! North Macedonia 0-0 Wales
The first half with the North Macedonia manager blowing up in the referee’s face and earning a yellow card for his troubles. We go into the break goalless.
The only real chance came Wales’s way as Sorba Thomas failed to finish from close range after latching onto Jordan James’s low cross.
Not the most exhilarating game so far, we’ll give you that.
North Macedonia 0-0 Wales
45+2 mins: First yellow card of the night as Serafimov is cautioned for dragging Johnson down on the counter.
Wales move it nicely from the free-kick and will have a corner to see out the half.
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