A true football spectacle in Kumanovo. Bashkimi and Vardar shared the points in a match filled with numerous twists and no fewer than six goals.
The hosts started the match better and created serious pressure from the very beginning. Luis Ribeiro threatened Vardar’s goal dangerously on two occasions, but goalkeeper Taleski was equal to the task and did not allow any surprises. However, on Bashkimi’s third attempt, they took the lead they wanted — after an excellently taken corner, Fati Ismaili rose highest and found the net with a precise header to make it 1-0. Soon after, Maimona had an excellent opportunity to score a second, but Taleski once again saved the visitors with a confident intervention.
At the other end, Vardar tried to respond when Omeragić controlled the ball well and played in Spahiu, whose shot went over the crossbar. The punishment arrived in the 32nd minute. After a swift counterattack, Rashid skilfully rounded the advancing Taleski and sent the ball through Najdovski’s legs and into the net for a convincing 2-0. However, the visitors managed to get back into the game quickly before the break: in the 38th minute, Jankulov broke forward and delivered a cross, while the ball cleared by the home defence reached Babunski, who coolly found the unprotected corner to make it 2-1.
The second half began with strong pressure from Vardar, and Babunski was the first to launch a series of threats with a powerful long-range shot. Bashkimi could have restored their two-goal advantage in the 66th minute, but Ristovski’s shot was stopped by the inspired Taleski. That proved to be a prelude to a major turnaround, as Vardar stunned the hosts in just two minutes. Zakarić became the hero for the red-and-blacks with two quick goals in the 70th and 72nd minutes (2-3).
Real drama followed in the closing stages. In the 77th minute, Spahiu failed to take advantage of a colossal chance when he found himself one-on-one with the home goalkeeper.
In the 86th minute, tireless Rashid made an excellent run down the right wing and provided an assist into the penalty area, where Saiti was in the right place at the right time and scored to make it 3-3.
There were no further changes to the score until the end of the match, so both teams had to settle for one point each. In the next, eighth round, Vardar will face Shkendija Aračinovo, while Bashkimi will have a difficult away match against Shkendija in Tetovo
