The Macedonia women’s team recorded a disappointing defeat against Latvia at home ground in Skopje and didn’t manage to secure the second place in the group.

photo by FFM: Andonova with the ball

Despite the favorite role, Macedonia failed to show a good play and barely managed to get a clear chance to score. In the first half, the Red Lynxes had most of the ball possession and several tries through Andonova, Maksuti and Markovska, but without success. In the third minute of the first half extra time, after a free kick for Latvia, Poluhoviča took advantage of the Macedonian defenders mistake and made a good shot for a lead.

The Latvian side had the biggest chances in the second half, after they had quick counterattacks on two occasions that they didn’t finish with a goal. In the second minute of extra time, Andonova equalized with a great shot from outside the box. With that result Macedonia had already secure the second place in the group. But lack of concentration in the Macedonian team at literally the last moments of the match cost them a point. Ševcova in solo action scored for victory for her team and chance for a second place in the group.

In a pre-match ceremony, Afrodita Salihi and Katerina Mileska announced the retirement from the national team.

In the last round of EURO2025 qualifiers, on July 16, Macedonia plays away against Slovenia, while Latvia will host Moldova.

July 12th, Petar Miloshevski Training Center in Skopje
Macedonia –  Latvia 1:2 (0:1)
Goals: 90′+2 Natasha Andonova – 45′+3 Anastasija Poluhoviča, 90′+6 Olga Ševcova
Macedonia: Berna Kabakchi; Ana Milchevska, Pavlinka Nikolovska, Elena Paneska (63′ Ane Bosheska), Viktorija Nedeva, Lenche Andreevska (85’ Afrodita Salihi), Marjana Naceva, Hava Mustafa (77′ Lora Sulejmani), Aleksandra Markovska, Ulza Maksuti, Natasha Andonova (C). Coach: Aleksandar Andov
Latvia: Sofja Nesterova; Sandra Voitāne, Aleksandra Mairna, Anastasija Ročāne (C), Linda Paula Linina (46’ Sofija Garanča), Marija Anna Valaka, Viktorija Zaičikova, Diāna Suvitra (90’+7 Santa Sanija Vuškāne), Karlina Miksone, Olga Ševcova, Anastasija Poluhoviča. Coach: Romans Kvačovs

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