What a dramatic ending in Skopje as Wales having looked to have at least a point in the bag they seemingly threw the game away at the end. That wasn’t to be as in the last few seconds of the game Wales somehow levelled in nail biting style against North Macedonia.

The game started in a very cagey way for both sides, an organised and pragmatic start from Craig Bellamy’s men possibly expecting an onslaught, however this really didn’t happen. That gave Wales some confidence on both sides of their attack with Sorba Thomas and Dan James willing runners. That said Kostadinov had a shot on eight minutes which flashed past Karl Darlow’s post. There was some pressure on the Wales defence but this half would be a story of no chances for the hosts and four on target from the visitors.

Noticeably the three changes Bellamy made evidenced sense almost immediately when seeing the way Wales were set up. Nathan Broadhead, Jordan James and Chris Mepham starting to rest the squad and use it appropriately slotted in well from the start.. Broadhead eased himself in well and with Josh Sheehan having possibly the best half of his Wales career it looked comfortable. James out on the right is forever chancing his arm, his speed concerned the Macedonians and as the first forty five progressed the home side resorted to fouling to prevent dangerous moves. Alioski a prime contender for a yellow card.

It took some while as well for referee Jérôme Brisard to grasp the Macedonian tactics but he did eventually see through the drama. Dimitrievski In the Macedonian goal would be the busier of the two keepers by half time, his goal living a charmed life with Sorba Thomas the stand out on the best chance missed of the half. The frustrating thing was the contribution from Brennan Johnson who as he did on Saturday just couldn’t get anything going. The threat of Jordan James appeared a few times in the half as Wales pressed. They certainly won the half. James providing Thomas with that missed effort on thirty four minutes.

This Wales side though do look very accomplished and clearly understand the orders they were given pre match. They played with some intensity for the last twenty minutes ensuring North Macedonia were to only be concerned about their defending. Serafimov was the only player booked in the first forty five, joining his very vociferous manager, Blagoja Milevsk who had a stand off with the referee flanked by two coaches acting in as henchmen.

The half time score was 0-0.

The second half started with no changes for Wales who immediately got off on the front foot. Chances aplenty in what was a more open game.Brennan Johnson had a golden chance but he refused to take it on the full running into danger. Jordan James was prepared to get shots away as much as he could making the keeper work. Again though that final ball or early opportunity not taken would haunt Wales during the first fifteen minutes of this half. Really the away side should have been two or three up from all the effort and opportunity created. A lovely moment on fifty nine minutes to commemorate the fifty nine lives lost last week in a nightclub in the country.

Was it a surprise when Dan James was substituted for Kieffer Moore on sixty minutes ? To many who have studied Bellamy’s philosophy over the past seven games they would say no. Brennan Johnson was shipped out to the right hand side and Moore took up battle stations as the main striker. Dan James was clealry aware of this strategy as he raced from the field as Moore came on. Tactics changed indeed. That didn’t stop Curlinov forcing a good save from Darlow though moments later.

More pressure as a cross from Johnson seemed to turn the Macedonian keeper inside out as he clawed away the ball. The final third of the half was more level. Two decent chances from the home side, on eighty one minutes a cross shot flashing in front of Darlow with two Macedonians sliding in to try and make contact. This game seemed to be travelling towards an ending where one goal could clinch it. From a dominant Wales we were now seeing a more even field of play. Watching Joe Allen come on for Wales was a pleasure to see. Rabbi Matondo too for Brennan Johnson.

Joe announced himself on the game within a minute giving away a free kick on the Wales left. After all the effort surely this wasn’t going to be a disastrous conclusion ? Wales had played well throughout, the only missing part of the formula being that finishing touch. The pressure began to mount on Wales when another free kick was given away by Ben Davies in the same position as the last. Fortunately that threat was defended and another corner was given. The Republic were now in the ascendency. Whatever was going through the mind of Joe Allen when he picked up the ball and ridiculously passed it back when forwards was the obvious choice only he knows. Miovski slotted his shot away easily when seizing in the error, and his side were one up going into added time.

This was a cruel game for Bellamy to learn from. Tactically he had got it spot on, he was let down by his players and not just Joe Allen. Composure and calmness missing when in excellent scoring positions. Right at the last Jordan James had a glorious chance from a Zorba Thomas cut back but his shot was blocked. The Red Wall looked devastated, and the seconds ticked on over a minute played past the allotted four minutes of additional time.

You didn’t think it would end there did you ?

With literally twenty seconds to go Wales levelled. In one last ditch effort Joe Allen flicked the ball to Neco Williams who crossed from deep. Moore headed down the ball for David Brooks to get a half touch on the ball. The Macedonian keeper flapped and it rolled into the back of the net. All eyes on the referee as he signalled a goal. My word, from the jaws of nothing to something earned. The North Macedonians were on their knees, they thought they had won the game. The only lesson here surely has to be had Wales pressed as hard as they did when they went one down then surely this game would have been three points. A win at home and a draw away is an excellent start. This is a rejuvenated Wales side and a memorable and fantastic time to watch this team.

⚽️ North Macedonia: Dimitrievksi; Zajkov (Atanasov 61), Serafimov, Masliu, Alioski; Ilievski (Dimoski 88), Alimi (Churlinov 61), Bardhi(c); Kostadinov, Miovski, Elmas

Subs: Iliev, Aleksovksi, Stojchevski, Trajkovski, Trapanovski, Manev, Elezi, Toshevski, Stankovski

⚽️ Wales: Darlow 7 Thomas, 7 Mepham 8 Rodon 6 B.Davies (c) 6 Williams Johnson 5 (Matondo 84, J.James 7 Sheehan 8 (Allen 84), D.James 7 (Moore 63); Broadhead 7 (Brooks 75) 7

Subs: Ward, A.Davies, Cabango, Lawrence, Roberts, Cullen, Koumas, Harris

Wales attendance, 2,152

June is next, and we now switch our attentions to the EFL Championship. The Swans take on Leeds at Elland Road, and yes the Indy will be there.

Photographs tag:reuters.com,2025:newsml_UP1EL3P1OSF3X:1801970238