In a stunning turn of events, North Macedonia secured a dramatic 1-1 draw against football powerhouse Belgium in a World Cup qualifier. The result, achieved through a late equalizer, has sent ripples of surprise across the football world, as North Macedonia continues its impressive unbeaten run in the Group J campaign.
North Macedonia Stuns Belgium with Late Equalizer
North Macedonia delivered a significant upset in their World Cup qualifying match against Belgium, holding the Red Devils to a 1-1 draw. The decisive moment came four minutes from full-time when Ezgjan Alioski netted a superb volley, canceling out Maxim De Cuyper’s first-half opener for Belgium. This result marks a surprising start to Belgium’s campaign for the 2026 finals in North America, while North Macedonia extends its unbeaten streak.
Key Match Moments
- 28th Minute: Maxim De Cuyper scores for Belgium, bundling the ball into the net after Romelu Lukaku’s initial shot was blocked.
- 27th Minute: North Macedonia misses a golden opportunity as Eljif Elmas hits the far post, and Alioski strikes the other post on the rebound.
- Second Half: Eljif Elmas has a goal disallowed due to an offside deflection off teammate Bojan Ilievski.
- 86th Minute: Ezgjan Alioski scores a spectacular volley from a Darko Churlinov cross, securing the equalizer for North Macedonia.
Group J Standings and Implications
North Macedonia’s draw against Belgium has significant implications for Group J. With this result, North Macedonia now has five points from one win and two draws in their opening three games. Wales, after their 3-0 victory over Liechtenstein, currently leads the group with seven points. The group winners will automatically qualify for the 2026 World Cup, while the runners-up will advance to the playoffs.
Team Form and Head-to-Head
North Macedonia entered the match in excellent form, extending their unbeaten run to eight games with this draw. In contrast, Belgium had a mixed run, having ended a six-game winless streak with a 3-0 victory over Ukraine in March. Historically, Belgium has dominated this fixture, winning both previous encounters against North Macedonia, including a 2-0 victory in their last meeting. This draw, therefore, represents a notable shift in the dynamic between the two teams.
Sources
- North Macedonia vs Belgium – live score, predicted lineups and H2H stats, FotMob.
- Late equaliser sees North Macedonia hold Belgium to draw, Reuters.
- Where to watch North Macedonia vs Belgium live in the USA: CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers, Bolavip US English.
- North Macedonia Belgium WCup Soccer | National Sports, New Castle News.
- Team News, Predicted Lineups and Where To Watch, WhoScored.com.
