A match of two halves, heavy rain and a shocking finish – Bashkimi and Tikvesh shared the points (2-2) in the opening match of the 25th round. Although the hosts had a comeback and victory in their hands, the visitors from Kavadarci refused to give up until the final second.
The relentless rain in Kumanovo turned the pitch into a veritable battlefield, limiting both teams in the first half. Ribeiro was the first to threaten for the hosts in the 37th minute, while Guela responded for the visitors, but the goalkeepers’ assured interventions kept the score level.
The real spectacle began after the break. Tikvesh struck first in the 53rd minute: Stojanov hit the post, and Sila was quickest to react in the scramble to give his team a 0-1 lead.
Bashkimi immediately went on the offensive and, following a VAR review, were awarded a penalty after Camara handled the ball. Goalscorer Avornio took responsibility, but fired inaccurately over the bar. However, his redemption came just 60 seconds later! In the very next attack, after the ball rebounded from Ribeiro’s shot, Avornio put it into the net for 1-1.
The euphoria in Kumanovo reached its peak in the 74th minute. Alimi launched a quick counterattack, Ribeiro set up Avornio, and his second goal completed the comeback and put the hosts 2-1 ahead. Tikvesh were on their knees, especially after Stojanov had earlier hit the crossbar as well.
However, the team from Kavadarci showed character when it mattered most. In stoppage time, substitute joker Laval stunned the home fans with a precise strike to make it 2-2. In the final moments of the match, Saiti had a huge chance to restore Bashkimi’s lead, but his shot went just wide of the goal.
