Macedonia closed the June window with a 4:0 win over Gibraltar in the Round 4 of the 2022/23 UEFA Nations League Group 4 of the League C.

photo by FFM: the Linx celebrate of the goals

Coach Blagoja Milevski had to make several changes as after the Georgia match. which was 3rd game in a row for several players, some players reported tiredness. Aleksandar Trajkovski was released from squad due to injury, David Babunski served a yellow card suspension after collecting against Gibraltar and Georgia one each, while keeper Stole Dimitrievski was given a rest. For this match Milevski started with Damjan Shishkovski on goal, in the back line there were Kire Ristevski, Gjoko Zajkov, Nikola Serafimov and Todor Todoroski, in midfield Boban Nikolov, Elif Elmas and captain Enis Bardhi, on the flanks Ezgjan Alioski and Darko Churlinov with Bojan Miovski up front.

The pre-match anthem ceremony:

Macedonia right from the start opted for an attacking play which resulted in a goal in the 2nd minute. Bernardo Lopes played with hand right before the box, awarding Macedonia a free kick. Bardhi could just hope for such a position and he easily converted it for a 1:0 lead hitting the inside of the left bar.

Bardhi’s free kick goal:

The 7th minute was underway when Miovski hit the crossbar, while on the rebound Nikolov missed the target.

The second goal came in the 14th minute. Bardhi took a free kick from the left by sending the ball into the box where Greame Torrilla scored an own goal. First everyone thought that Miovski scored his first in the national team, but later UEFA confirmed that it was an own goal.

Miovski later managed to score his first. In the 16th minute he beautifully deceived the visiting defense and score for 3:0.

Bardhi missed a great occasion for 4:0 when Banda saved his close range shot in the 20th minute, while 3 minutes later Churlinov was selfish and tried to shot from a tight angle when Banda recorded another save. Gibraltar had their first chance in the very same minute when Lee Casciaro served Julian Valarino who made Shishkovski dive for a save.

The 31st minute was underway when Bardhi from left found Todoroski on the far post who unselfishly served Churlinov for an easy tap in, making it 4:0.

Three minutes before the break Nikolov fire from around 18 meters, but Banda with the tips of his fingers denied for a corner.

On half time coach Milevski made three changes taking off Elmas, Bardhi and Alioski, while putting in three debutantes: Enis Fazlagikj, Valon Ethemi and Bojan Dimoski.

With taking off the most active the game flow went a bit down and despite Macedonia attacking, no chances were created for a while. Milevski put the 4th debutante in the 79th minute when Tomche Grozdanovski entered the field taking the place of Elmas.

Ethemi had a great opportunity five minuted from time but the visiting keeper saved. In the 90th minute Gibraltar had a good free kick chance from just around the box, but Shishkovski well saved Liam Walker’s shot. Later in the stoppage time Ethemi managed to dribble past the visiting defense but his shot hit the far post.

The second half went wit no goals, so the match ended with the same score from the opening 45 minutes – 4:0.

Highlights:

In the other match in our group that was played at the same time Georgia this time failed to beat Bulgaria by playing a goalless draw.

Match report | Standings

Facts about the match:

• 60th appearance for Ezgjan Alioski
• 20th appearance for Gjoko Zajkov
• 11th goal for Enis Bardhi
• 10th appearance for Bojan Miovski
• 7th own goal scored in favor of Macedonia
• 4th match and 4th win over Gibraltar, 12:0 goal-difference
• 3rd goal for Darko Churlinov
• 1st goal for Bojan Miovski
• debut appearance for: Enis Fazlagikj, Valon Ethemi, Bojan Dimoski & Tomche Grozdanovski