Mistrovství světa - kvalifikace FIFA - Mistrovství světa - kvalifikace 2026

Liechtenstein licked as Lynx jinx continues Danny Clark, 07.09.2025 19:58 North Macedonia moved top of Group J in FIFA World Cup qualifying (WCQ) after a rampant second-half display helped them to a 5-0 victory over Liechtenstein, extending the Lynxes’ dominant H2H record to 13 matches unbeaten (W12, D1). Having started their qualifying campaign with a four-game unbeaten run (W2, D2), North Macedonia looked full of confidence in the early stages against Liechtenstein. The hosts were duly rewarded for their attacking intent with a breakthrough inside 15 minutes, as Eljif Elmas jinked his way past several defenders before slotting a composed finish beyond Benjamin Büchel in the visitors’ goal. The Lynxes continued to dominate possession as the first half progressed, but the Liechtenstein rearguard held firm under pressure - a surprising show of resilience from the microstate nation, who had conceded 3+ goals in five of their previous six defeats. The closest North Macedonia came to doubling their advantage before HT was an Aleksandar Trajkovski strike that was smartly saved in the bottom corner by Büchel. Liechtenstein weren’t going to hold out forever though, and after starting the second period as they ended the first, North Macedonia deservedly scored their second of the evening when Bojan Ilievski’s inviting delivery was clinically volleyed home by Enis Bardhi, duly registering his 19th international strike. Armed with all the momentum, North Macedonia added a third just four minutes later, with Darko Churlinov racing onto a neat pass from Bardhi and sweeping a sublime effort into the top corner. The one-way traffic showed no signs of slowing down, and the hosts thought they’d netted a fourth with time ticking into the final half-hour, only for Bojan Miovski’s well-taken strike to be ruled out for offside. Not to be denied, the Lynxes added late gloss to the scoreline, as Lirim Qamili converted from Ezgjan Alioski’s long ball and Luka Stankovski tapped in from close range, adding extra weight to what was just a second home WCQ victory in seven matches for North Macedonia.