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
3 mins: Up the other end and it’s another shot from range that comes close - Kostadinov firing towards the bottom-left corner that just goes past the post.
Lively start here.
North Macedonia 0-0 Wales
2 mins: Wales immediately start on the front foot as Jordan James receives the ball on the edge of the box.
He bends one towards the far corner, well saved by Dimitrievski. Nothing from the corner.
KICK-OFF! North Macedonia 0-0 Wales
1 min: KICK-OFF! We’re underway in Skopje.
A rousing rendition of the North Macedonia national anthem, a country who have come together amidst tragic circumstances this week.
Kick-off fast approaching in Skopje
We’re just five minutes away from kick-off in Skopje as both Wales and North Macedonia look to continue their winning starts to their respective World Cup qualifying campaigns.
With the Baltic state in mourning after Saturday’s tragic nightclub fire that claimed 59 lives, the hosts will be desperate for a boost in national morale tonight.
We’ve got all the action, right here. Don’t go anywhere!
Craig Bellamy: Tournament experience ‘so valuable’ in 2026 World Cup bid
Craig Bellamy believes Wales’ experience of playing at major tournaments will have a positive bearing on their attempt to reach the 2026 World Cup.
“It is so valuable,” said Bellamy, unbeaten as Wales manager after a six-game Nations League B campaign in the autumn which saw the Dragons promoted to join Europe’s elite.
“The players’ calmness, they’ve been there, but also the crowd. That experience of everyone being on the ride is so important.
“Some get to play more of a part than others, but if we’re successful we all get to go and enjoy this.
“This time it is my responsibility to get to where other managers have been able to get to, and then maybe leave it in a place where it continuously keeps happening.”
North Macedonia proving a tough nut to crack
Tonight’s clash in Skopje is by no means a simple task for Wales
The home side have a strong goal threat, with Torino star Eljif Elmas pulling the strings while Girona frontman Bojan Miovski is a danger up top.
Scottish football fans will be more than familiar with Miovski, who scored 44 goals in 91 games for Aberdeen before accruing a club-record transfer fee from the Spanish side.
Their defence is also tough to break down, with goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski having kept six consecutive clean sheets, which is a new national record.
Daniel James in the form of his life
Daniel James has been in impressive form this season for his club Leeds and country, with 11 goals in 36 appearances - which has helped United to the top of the Championship table.
In 32 league appearances, he has been involved in 19 goals so far and has averaged 2.33 goals per game, proving a pivotal factor in his side’s push for Premier League.
Having already notched one goal this international break, he will no doubt be one to watch in Skopje.
North Macedonia vs Wales: Head-to-head
This is the third time the two sides have met and so far the head-to-head stands at one apiece. They met in 2013 in the qualifying stages for the 2014 World Cup, which neither team qualified for.
The first meeting ended in a 2-1 win for the hosts, despite Aaron Ramsey scoring from the penalty spot for Chris Coleman’s side.
They did get revenge a month later when Simon Church scored the only goal of the game in a 1-0 win in Cardiff, and current Wales boss Bellamy played the full 90 minutes in both games.
Last time out for Wales
Wales endured a nervy night against Kazakhstan as World Cup qualifying began on Saturday.
An early Dan James goal looked to have set the hosts on course for victory in Cardiff before they were pegged back as Kazakh captain Askhat Tagybergen converted from the spot.
Though Ben Davies put them back in front just after half time, it took until the 90th minute for Rabbi Matondo to make the points safe.
Confirmed North Macedonia lineup
North Macedonia XI: Dimitrievski; Zajkov, Musliu, Serafimov, Alioski; Ilievski, Alimi, Bardhi; Kostadinov, Miovski, Elmas.
Subs: Aleksovski, Atanasov, Churlinov, Dimoski, Elezi, Iliev, Manev, Stankovski, Stojechevski, Toshevski, Tajkovski, Trapanovski.
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