North Macedonia, the team that has already knocked down two great Europeans and goes for CR7’s Portugal

In football there are quite a few things that simply cannot be explained. The elimination of Italy in Palermo, at the hands of North Macedonia, is one of them. Until a few hours ago, no one -or almost no one- could predict the defeat of the ‘Azzurri’ at home against a lower-ranking rival. It was almost impossible for that to happen. But it is what has happened this Thursday full of drama. The Macedonians, in less than a year with quite a few surprises, have once again hit the ground running and left the reigning European champion without a World Cup.

Possession of the ball was almost always held by Italy (66%), as expected. But his dominance in the game did not transcend on the scoreboard. Of course, the team led by Roberto Mancini tried several times (32 shots), but without success.

North MacedoniaWith little, he did a lot. Before the goal, the ‘Lynxes’ -as they are nicknamed- had only finished three times to the goal of Gianluigi Donnarumma, who had only had to make an effort in one of those plays. Thus, without much danger in sight, when it seemed that the game would continue with extras or with an agonizing goal from the Italians, Aleksandar Trajkovski He emerged as the true hero of his team in the stoppage time.

executioner of great

North Macedonia is the first ex-Yugoslav nation to join FIFA and UEFA, in 1994, and its first qualifier was for Euro 1996. It is currently ranked 67th in the FIFA ranking and its greatest success has been qualifying for the last Euro 2020, which they achieved by winning their League D Nations League group and then beating Kosovo and Georgia in the playoffs.

In the last year, it is not the first time that North Macedonia has brought down a European giant in its own home. Now they are going for their next victim: Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal.

From the middle of 2021 to these first months of 2022, the Macedonians have found a successful path. Although they started UEFA Qualifying with a loss, they quickly redeemed themselves and a victory over Germany gave them the motivation to face the rest of the qualifier.

On the third date played on March 31, 2021, North Macedonia visited the four-time world champion in Duisburg and gave the first blow.

That victory ended Germany’s wonderful run of 20 years without losing in Qualifying. Furthermore, it was the sign of what was to come next for North Macedonia, which

However, the picture became quite complicated. His first hurdle to overcome was the fearsome Italy, of whom Pandev himself said “It’s the game I never wanted, especially in the semifinals”. Without him on the field, his Macedonian compatriots achieved the epic in Palermo and are now closer than ever to qualifying for the first World Cup in their history.

The next rival to overcome to mark a definitive presence in Qatar 2022 is none other than the Portugal team led by Cristiano Ronaldo. In the city of Porto, on March 29, North Macedonia will seek to accomplish a new feat as a visitor and go over another European champion (2016). At this point, nothing is impossible for the Macedonians.

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