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North Macedonia scored an 85th-minute winner by Eljif Elmas to stun the German hosts 2-1 in their World Cup qualifier in Group J on Wednesday as the Balkan country celebrated its biggest win ever international.
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Elmas signed on after the four-time world champions controlled the game but struggled to convert the odds against the disciplined North Macedonians, ranked 65th in the world and entered the game with +2800 underdogs.
It was Germany’s first home defeat in World Cup qualifying in 20 years in manager Joachim Low’s last qualifying game before leaving after this summer’s European Championship. “It’s bitterly disappointing,” Low said.
“We weren’t fresh enough, we made mistakes. When we played fast we were dangerous but we didn’t find the tools really threatening.
“Overall it was disappointing to lose like that at home.”
Before the start of the match, the German players unfurled a banner supporting human rights.
Last week, players from Germany, the Netherlands and Norway wore shirts expressing concern over human rights in Qatar.
Despite Germany owning 70 percent in the first half and Leon Goretzka’s shot on the crossbar, it was the visitors who scored when Goran Pandev, 37, was not scored in the box for touch home in the first half timeout.
The Germans had their opponents boxed in their own half of the field, but other than an effort from Serge Gnabry they had little to show until Leroy Sane was brought back into the box.
Gundogan’s 63rd-minute penalty drew the hosts’ level, but despite late pressure and a golden chance for Timo Werner with 10 minutes out of time, Germany couldn’t find a winner.
They were fortunate enough not to concede a penalty for an Emre Can handball, but were still punished for not asserting their dominance when Elmas found room in the box to take a reduction for the winner.
“These guys made North Macedonia proud of winning four World Cup titles and three European championships,” said North Macedonia coach Igor Angelovski.
“We have never beaten a team with so many titles. Now we have to rest because what we have achieved still has not come to fruition.”
The victory lifted North Macedonia to six points in second place, ahead of Germany on goal difference in Group J and three behind Armenia.
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