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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

Will Castle
Tuesday 25 March 2025 22:42 GMT
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Bellamy hopes Wales’ tie with North Macedonia brings some comfort after nightclub tragedy

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

40 mins: That would have been SPECIAL.

Bardhi looks for Alioski on the edge of the box directly from the corner, and it comes perfectly for the former Leeds left-back to volley goalwards.

He catches it nicely but just too much height.

Will Castle25 March 2025 20:27

North Macedonia 0-0 Wales

39 mins: Fancy footwork from Elmas sees the Torino man dance into the box and win a corner.

That got the crowd going.

Will Castle25 March 2025 20:26

North Macedonia 0-0 Wales

34 mins: CLOSE! Nearest we’ve come to an opener, and Thomas will wonder how he hasn’t scored!

Jordan James whips in a darting ball across goal and Thomas is there at the back post to surely tap it in, but he gets the finish all wrong - with it ricocheting away from goal rather than into the net.

They then have a penalty appealed moments after the Thomas chance, but it’s waved away by the ref.

Will Castle25 March 2025 20:22

North Macedonia 0-0 Wales

30 mins: Dimitrievski is back on but doesn’t look in the most comfort.

Following the lengthy pause, it’s the hosts that try to catch their opponents cold as Jordan James loses the ball in a dangerous area - brilliant reaction from Mepham to step out and slide in.

Will Castle25 March 2025 20:21

North Macedonia 0-0 Wales

27 mins: North Macedonia threaten to do damage but Wales stand strong.

Home keeper Dimitrievski is now on the ground receiving treatment, giving Bellamy a chance to touch base with his team.

Will Castle25 March 2025 20:15

North Macedonia 0-0 Wales

21 mins: Another corner gets whipped in and this time it’s Joe Rodon who wins the header, but he’s too far out and the keep saves easily.

Will Castle25 March 2025 20:10

North Macedonia 0-0 Wales

16 mins: Dan James breaks down the wing and tries to find a red shirt on the penalty spot, but his cross doesn’t get past the first man.

Wales then get a free-kick in a dangerous area, but the whipped-in delivery is headed up into the air and eventually cleared.

Will Castle25 March 2025 20:04

North Macedonia 0-0 Wales

13 mins: After a frantic start, this contest has quietened a bit over the last few minutes.

Nathan Broadhead thought for a second he was in on goal after pinching the ball off Alioski, but he was instead penalised for a foul.

Will Castle25 March 2025 20:01

North Macedonia 0-0 Wales

9 mins: Free kick is whipped in by Neco Williams towards Johnson, who can’t get the right touch on it.

Out for a goal kick.

Will Castle25 March 2025 19:56

North Macedonia 0-0 Wales

7 mins: Heart-in-mouth moment for Darlow as Bardhi closes him down.

He hoofs it out left at the final moment and luckily it goes to a red shirt.

Will Castle25 March 2025 19:54

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