Match report

FYR Macedonia Draws 1-1 with Belgium in World Cup Qualification

FYR Macedonia
FYR Macedonia
1–1
FT
Belgium
Belgium
Jun 6, 2025

FYR Macedonia stunned the favorites by securing a 1-1 draw against Belgium in their World Cup Qualification match. Maxim De Cuyper opened the scoring for Belgium, but Ezgjan Alioski's goal in the 86th minute ensured a share of the points for FYR Macedonia.

Key Facts

  • • Maxim De Cuyper scored for Belgium in the 28th minute.
  • • Ezgjan Alioski equalized for FYR Macedonia in the 86th minute.
  • • FYR Macedonia received five yellow cards throughout the match.
  • • Belgium made four substitutions during the game.

Lineups

FYR Macedonia

Formation: 5-3-2

Starting XI

  • 23 S. Dimitrievski (G)
  • 2 B. Ilievski
  • 4 A. Stojcevski
  • 5 G. Zajkov (D)
  • 6 V. Musliu (D)
  • 8 E. Alioski (D)
  • 18 T. Kostadinov (M)
  • 21 J. Atanasov (M)
  • 7 E. Elmas (M)
  • 10 E. Bardhi (F)
  • 20 B. Miovski (F)

Substitutes

  • 1 D. Iliev
  • 12 D. Siskovski
  • 3 S. Ashkovski
  • 9 A. Trajkovski
  • 11 D. Churlinov
  • 13 S. Despotovski
  • 14 D. Mitrovski
  • 15 J. Manev
  • 16 K. Trapanovski
  • 17 A. Elezi
  • 19 M. Ristovski
  • 22 L. Stankovski

Belgium

Formation: 4-3-3

Starting XI

  • 13 M. Sels (G)
  • 15 T. Meunier (D)
  • 4 W. Faes (D)
  • 2 Z. Debast (D)
  • 5 M. De Cuyper (D)
  • 21 N. Raskin (M)
  • 7 K. De Bruyne (M)
  • 20 H. Vanaken (M)
  • 23 A. Saelemaekers (F)
  • 10 R. Lukaku (F)
  • 22 J. Doku (F)

Substitutes

  • 1 M. Vandevoordt
  • 12 S. Lammens
  • 3 A. Theate
  • 6 A. Onana
  • 8 Y. Tielemans
  • 9 L. Openda
  • 11 L. Trossard
  • 14 D. Lukebakio
  • 16 K. De Winter
  • 17 C. De Ketelaere
  • 18 B. Mechele
  • 19 M. Fofana

Timeline

  1. FYR Macedonia
    15' FYR Macedonia Card · Yellow Card
    J. Atanasov

    Foul

  2. Belgium
    28' Belgium Goal · Normal Goal
    Maxim De Cuyper
  3. Belgium
    44' Belgium Card · Yellow Card
    T. Meunier

    Foul

  4. FYR Macedonia
    46' FYR Macedonia subst · Substitution 1
    Off: J. Atanasov · On: A. Elezi
  5. FYR Macedonia
    51' FYR Macedonia Var · Goal cancelled
    B. Ilievski
  6. Belgium
    56' Belgium subst · Substitution 1
    Off: H. Vanaken · On: A. Onana
  7. Belgium
    57' Belgium subst · Substitution 2
    Off: K. De Bruyne · On: Y. Tielemans
  8. Belgium
    57' Belgium subst · Substitution 3
    Off: T. Meunier · On: K. De Winter
  9. FYR Macedonia
    66' FYR Macedonia Card · Yellow Card
    V. Musliu

    Foul

  10. FYR Macedonia
    70' FYR Macedonia Card · Yellow Card
    B. Ilievski

    Foul

  11. FYR Macedonia
    76' FYR Macedonia Card · Yellow Card
    E. Bardhi

    Foul

  12. Belgium
    78' Belgium subst · Substitution 4
    Off: Maxim De Cuyper · On: Arthur Theate
  13. FYR Macedonia
    80' FYR Macedonia subst · Substitution 3
    Off: B. Ilievski · On: S. Ashkovski
  14. FYR Macedonia
    80' FYR Macedonia subst · Substitution 4
    Off: T. Kostadinov · On: Dimitar Mitrovski
  15. FYR Macedonia
    81' FYR Macedonia Card · Yellow Card
    Dimitar Mitrovski

    Foul

  16. Belgium
    82' Belgium subst · Substitution 5
    Off: R. Lukaku · On: L. Openda
  17. FYR Macedonia
    85' FYR Macedonia subst · Substitution 5
    Off: B. Miovski · On: M. Ristovski
  18. FYR Macedonia
    86' FYR Macedonia Goal · Normal Goal
    Ezgjan Alioski · Assist: D. Churlinov
  19. FYR Macedonia
    90'+3 FYR Macedonia Card · Yellow Card
    M. Ristovski

    Foul

Match Stats

Stat FYR Macedonia Belgium
Fouls 13 11
Pass Accuracy 77% 88%
Offsides 2 1
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 7 17
Corners 1 10
Total Passes 261 543
Yellow Cards 6 1
Blocked Shots 2 7
Shots on Target 2 4
xG — —
Shots off Target 3 6
Possession 32% 68%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 201 479
Shots Inside Box 5 11
Saves 2 1
Shots Outside Box 2 6

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Belgium took the lead in the 28th minute with a goal from Maxim De Cuyper, but FYR Macedonia showed resilience.
  • ▸ FYR Macedonia's late equalizer by Ezgjan Alioski in the 86th minute shifted momentum and secured a crucial point against the higher-ranked opponent.