Wales rescued a 1-1 draw away to North Macedonia in World Cup qualifying as David Brooks scuffed a 96th-minute equaliser, with both goals coming in stoppage time.
A game of few chances looked to be heading for a goalless draw, but Bojan Miovski capitalised on an error from Joe Allen to get the home side in front after 91 minutes.
But Wales threw everything forward in what was left of stoppage time to find a leveller, with Brooks sparking bedlam among the travelling fans when his effort crept over the line.
The initial 90 minutes had been a dreary affair, with neither side carving out many clear-cut opportunities.
Craig Bellamy’s side did just about edge it in terms of control, with Sorba Thomas going close just before half-time.
Dan James then saw a left-footed cross bobble across the face of goal in the second half, with nobody getting the necessary touch to turn it home.
But it was the home side who scored the opening goal, which seemed like it would be decisive, when Miovski pounced.
Yet, they were unable to keep their concentration for the full course of the match, with Jordan James firing off a warning when he missed a chance in the 94th minute.
It was Brooks who got the all-important equaliser, scrambling home in the 96th minute, but North Macedonia will be disappointed not to have cleared his unorthodox finish before it went over the line.
The draw leaves North Macedonia first and Wales second in Group J after two matches, with Belgium yet to play due to their Nations League commitments.
FT | 1-1
A dramatic ending in Skopje! Four points to kick off our @FIFAWorldCup qualifying campaign
pic.twitter.com/beeNEVo3vr
— Wales (@Cymru) March 25, 2025
Data debrief: Wales leave it late
Brooks’ dramatic intervention made it eight straight World Cup qualifiers with a goal for Wales, which is their longest run since 2016.
They are also now unbeaten in their last 11 World Cup qualifiers, as they bid to make back-to-back editions of the tournament for the first time.
The equaliser, meanwhile, was Wales’ first goal in the 90th minute or later in an away game since another effort from the Bournemouth man, in Latvia in November 2023.
