Nations League: Macedonia – Armenia 2:0 (Video)

After playing a draw away to the Faroe Islands Macedonia hosted Armenia in the second match of the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League. Despite being downed to ten men for the entire second half, Macedonia celebrated a 2:0 win.

photo by FFM: Enis Bardhi celebrates his free kick masterpiece

Macedonia faced Armenia for the record 14th time, the most against any opponents in the footballing history of both national teams. It was a rainy weather in Skopje all day, with the intensity increasing in the evening.

Coach Blagoja Milevski wasn’t satisfied with some of the players’ performances in the previous match, as he stated in the post match press-conference, so for the Armenia match he made three changes in the starting eleven. Stole Dimitrievski was on goal, in the defense left Ashkovski, right Dimoski with Zajkov and Musliu as CBs, in the midfield captain Bardhi, Alimi and Babunski, while up front Miovski with Elmas and Churlinov as wingers. That means that Serafimov, Iljazovski and Mitrovski were dropped from the Faroe Islands match with Zajkov, Ashkovski and Babunski taking their places.

In Macedonia’s first attack in the 2nd minute Churlinov went towards the goals, slipped and injured himself. He had to be substituted and Qamili stepped in.

In the 19th minute Elmas tried from the left, but he hit Bardhi, a shot that could have ended in the goal, but Čančarević was in the right place. Two minutes later colossal chance for Elmas. A counter attack resulted with Bardhi serving Elmas on the left, but the later tried to put the ball between the goalkeeper’s legs and failed.

For the next opportunity the small audience had to wait until the 41st minute when Bardhi fired a shot 20 meters from left that ended just above the cross bar. In the injury time Babunski also fired from distance, but ended near the left post.

Red card for Zajkov in the injury time before the break as he picked up two quick yellow cards. First in the 44th minute he fouled Zelarayán, while 5 minutes later he threw the ball away so the Armenians won’t take a quick free kick after Qamili made a tackle just outside the box.

Due to Zajkov’s expulsion, Milevski took off Babunski during the break in order to bring in a defender, that being Serafimov.

Despite the player less, Macedonia started very offensively after the break, but could not create a serious chance. Armenia took the initiative around the 60th minute. Quick counter attack in the 64th minute for Macedonia. Elmas served Miovski, but his shot was deflected in a corner kick.

In the 69th minute newly entered Kostadinov was brought down in a good free kick position for Bardhi. The Macedonian captain perfectly took the shot and scored to bring the lead.

Nine minutes later Miovski dribbled past his opponent and scored past Čančarević to double the lead. Macedonia scored two goals with 10 men!

In the 90th minute Spertsyan had a good shot, Dimitrievski slipped the ball, hit the left post and luckily caught it.

With Latvia celebrating a lone goal win over the Faroe Islands, Macedonia took over the top after two rounds.

The next matches for Macedonia are in October with both being played on the road. First against Latvia on the 10th and later on the 13th against Armenia.

Match report | Standings

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