David Brooks secured a vital 1-1 draw for Wales against North Macedonia with virtually the last kick of the game in Skopje, keeping their World Cup qualification hopes alive.
Craig Bellamy’s side had been in control for much of the contest but were dealt a devastating blow when North Macedonia struck in stoppage time, seemingly snatching all three points.
Substitute Joe Allen played a disastrous back pass that was intercepted by Bojan Miovski, who showed great composure to slot the ball beneath Karl Darlow and put the hosts ahead.
However, just as Wales looked set to leave empty-handed, Kieffer Moore rose highest in the sixth added minute to flick a long ball into the danger area.
Brooks reacted quickest, forcing the ball over the line to salvage a crucial point.
With Belgium yet to begin their Group J campaign, Wales may come to regret dropping points in the battle for an automatic qualification spot at the 2026 tournament in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Wales manager Bellamy said: “I had a rollercoaster of emotions. A game we were more in control of than I thought we would be. I really liked us, I thought we were really good.
“We knew they’d play for set-plays and we kept giving away free-kicks and a corner. Then we made a mistake and they score, but even then I didn’t feel it was over.
“When I found out the minute we equalised I thought ‘wow’. What an incredible group, eh? We didn’t deserve to get nothing from the game, no way.
“I thought North Macedonia would be more on the front foot, but they were five at the back. I will have to go through the game again. My main reaction? Probably shock, still.
“But we definitely didn’t deserve to lose the game.
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“The fans feel a connection to these players. This result tonight in the long run will give us so much. We didn’t accept that losing was meant to be.
“Watch Joe Allen’s touches after his mistake. His head doesn’t go down. He keeps being progressive and it leads to a goal.
“I’d have liked six points. This game didn’t work out as hard as I expected it to be.
“But if you’d have offered me four points earlier in the week, I don’t know. I have a feeling with this group. There could be something more coming from them and I’m quite excited about that.”
Wales created the better chances, with Brennan Johnson coming closest to an opener. The Tottenham forward unleashed a powerful shot, only for Visar Musliu to produce a crucial goal-line clearance.
The atmosphere was charged as North Macedonia played their first home match since the devastating nightclub fire in Kocani earlier this month, which claimed 59 lives.
A seven-day period of mourning had just ended, and the home players paid tribute by warming up in black shirts honoring the victims.
A minute’s silence was respectfully observed before kick-off, both teams wore black armbands, and Bellamy marked the occasion by donning a black suit.
Bellamy made three alterations to the team that secured a 3-1 win over Kazakhstan in Cardiff, with Chris Mepham, Jordan James, and Nathan Broadhead coming into the starting XI, while Connor Roberts, Brooks, and Liam Cullen made way.
Captain Ben Davies was the only remaining member of the Wales squad who had played in their 2-1 defeat to North Macedonia back in 2013, a match that was among Bellamy’s final appearances for his country.
Meanwhile, the hosts entered the game in top form, having claimed their sixth consecutive victory with a convincing 3-0 win over Liechtenstein on Saturday—their longest-ever winning streak.
North Macedonia goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski, who had not conceded in their previous six matches, was called into action inside the first minute, reacting quickly to keep out Daniel James' effort.
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Tihomir Kostadinov had an early sight of goal at the other end but dragged his long-range attempt wide, before the game became fragmented due to the strict officiating of French referee Jerome Brisard.
A lengthy pause occurred when Dimitrievski went down near the halfway line, though he managed to continue. Wales wasted their best opening of the half when Jordan James played a perfect pass to Sorba Thomas, but the winger failed to direct his effort on target.
Josh Sheehan tested Dimitrievski from distance before North Macedonia, who had been sitting deep for most of the first half, carved out a rare opportunity from a corner. Kostadinov’s delivery found Ezgjan Alioski, who attempted an ambitious volley from outside the box.
After the interval, Wales pushed forward but struggled to create clear-cut openings. Darko Churlinov forced Darlow into a save, while Johnson came close at the other end.
The game seemed destined to end goalless until Allen’s costly error allowed Miovski to put North Macedonia in front. However, Wales refused to give up, and in the dying moments, Brooks bundled the ball home following Moore’s flick-on, ensuring Bellamy’s men avoided defeat.
