Saudi Arabia secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over North Macedonia in a friendly match held in Prague, Czech Republic. The encounter served as crucial preparation for both teams, with Saudi Arabia looking to fine-tune their tactics ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifying play-offs.
Key Takeaways
- Saudi Arabia came from behind to secure the win.
- The match was played at the FK Viktoria Stadion in Prague.
- This friendly was part of Saudi Arabia’s international camp in preparation for upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Match Summary
Saudi Arabia emerged victorious with a 2-1 scoreline against North Macedonia. The match saw North Macedonia take the lead just before halftime with a goal from Aleksandar Trajkovoski. However, Saudi Arabia managed to equalize before the break and secured the winning goal in the latter stages of the second half through Abdullah Alhamddan.
Performance and Tactics
Saudi Arabia, aiming to build momentum for their World Cup qualifying campaign, dominated possession for large parts of the game. Despite creating several chances, they struggled to convert them until late in the match. North Macedonia adopted a compact defensive strategy, looking to disrupt Saudi Arabia’s rhythm and capitalize on counter-attacks. The friendly provided an opportunity for both coaching staffs to assess player performance and finalize tactical approaches.
Preparations for Future Competitions
For Saudi Arabia, this friendly was a vital part of their preparation for the upcoming October play-off fixtures for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Coach Hervé Renard utilized the match to test different player combinations and tactical setups. North Macedonia also used the game to gauge their readiness for their own upcoming matches.
Venue and Atmosphere
The match took place at the FK Viktoria Stadion in Prague, which saw a good turnout from fans. The atmosphere was described as lively, with supporters from both nations contributing to the occasion.
Sources
- Saudi Arabia v North Macedonia: Preview & Predicted Score, Morocco World News.
- Summary: Saudi Arabia 2-1 North Macedonia in Friendly Match | 09/04/2025, VAVEL.com.
- Saudis come from behind to beat North Macedonia 2-1 in friendly in Prague, Arab News.
- Saudi Arabia vs North Macedonia LIVE Streaming info: When, where to watch KSA v NMA?, Sportstar.