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Published photo, Getty Images
Almaz snatches winning goal for North Macedonia
North Macedonia surprised the European World Cup qualifiers, beating 4-time world champion Germany in the latter’s stadium.
The visitors took the lead with a goal scored by Goran Pandev at the end of the first half. Early in the second half, Ilkay Gundogan equalized the score from the penalty spot after Leroy Sani was blocked.
However, North Macedonia, which occupies the 65th place in the world rankings, snatched the victory over a goal from Alejv Almaz 5 minutes before the end of the match.
Chelsea striker Timo Werner missed a golden opportunity to score a goal for the Germans before Almaz’s goal.
This is the first defeat the German national team have suffered in their group, and the first goal to reach their goal in the qualifying round.
The loss also ended a streak of 35 unbeaten World Cup qualifiers for Germany, since their loss to England by five goals to one in 2001.
Coach Joachim Loew called the loss “disappointing”, adding that his side were not up to the task as they couldn’t find the means to help them win the game.
With this victory, North Macedonia climbs to second place in the group standings with six points, three points behind Armenia, while Germany occupies third place.
Coach Igor Angelowski said: “The youngsters lifted the head of North Macedonia in front of a team which has won the World Cup four times and the European Cup three times.”
He added: “We have never won against a team that has won all of these titles. Now we have to rest because we will not understand what we have achieved.”
Before the match, the German players held up a banner in favor of human rights.
Ahead of Germany’s qualifier against Iceland on Thursday, the German team wore shirts showing their support for migrant workers in Qatar, which will host the World Cup next year.
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