The Macedonian national football team suffered a 7-1 defeat against Wales in the last qualifying match of the 2026 World Cup cycle. With this, our national team at the end of the qualifiers is in third position in the group with 13 points won and will play the World Cup play-off the hard way. In the draw on Thursday, we will be in the fourth pot.
David Brooks announced that Wales were interested in a strong match after he shot over the bar in the fifth minute.
In the 18th minute, he forced a penalty after Stojchevski barely started over him after a pass from Daniel James.
Harry Wilson was the successful scorer of the penalty. Three minutes later, Brennan Johnson beat Brooks to make it 2-0.
Macedonia managed to get back into the match in the 23rd minute. Darko Velkovski played a great pass to Bojan Miovski, who entered the penalty area and hit the opponent's net with a precise shot.
Wales continued to attack, Neko Williams was close to a third goal, but Stole Dimitrievski saved, and the post was also an ally.
However, in the 37th minute, Brennan Johnson fired a 25-meter shot into the top corner for 3-1.
Ennis Bardi attempted a free kick in the 42nd minute, but Darlow was careful and kicked it out for a corner.
In the second half, Bardi had a chance in the 52nd minute, but his shot was blocked, and Brooks immediately responded on the opposite side. However, Stole Dimitrievski saved another goal with an excellent intervention.
The Welsh took a 4-1 lead in the 57th minute after a great move, which was converted into a goal by Daniel James.
Harry Wilson scored a beautiful free kick goal in the 75th minute, increasing the lead to 5-1.
In the 81st minute, Harry Wilson completed his hat-trick after converting another penalty, following a foul committed by Darko Velkovski.
Wales scored another goal towards the end through Nathan Broadhead for a final 7-1.
WALES – MACEDONIA 7-1 (3-1)
Cardiff Stadium. Attendance: 33,000. Referee: Dani Makeli. Scorers: Wilson 18′ pen., 75′, 81′ pen., Brooks 21′, Johnson 37′, James 57′, Broadhead 88′ (Wales), Miovski 23′ (Macedonia). Yellow cards: Ashkovski, Dimitrievski (Macedonia).
Wales: Darlow, Williams (82' Kpacio), Lower, Rawdon (82' Mepham), Dasilva, Sheehan, Wilson, James (64' Thomas), Cullen (85' Davies), Brooks (64' Broadhead), Johnson.
Macedonia: Dimitrievski, Ilievski, Stojchevski (55′ Qamili), Velkovski, Zajkov, Ashkovski, Bardi, Kostadinov (55′ Čurlinov), Alimi (64′ Atanasov), Elmas, Miovski (64′ Rastoder).
