Wales saved a 1-1 draw to North Macedonia in the qualification of the World Cup, while David Brooks accelerated an equalizer of 96th minute, with both goals that came in a stopping time.
A game of few opportunities seemed to be on the way to a scoreless draw, but Bojan Miovski made a mistake on a mistake by Joe Allen to get the home team at the front after 91 minutes.
But Wales threw everything forward in what was left of a stop time to find a level, with Brooks who staggered bedlam under the traveling fans when his efforts crawled over the line.
The first 90 minutes had been a gloomy affair, with neither parties who played many clear opportunities.
The side of Craig Bellamy did it just about in terms of control, with Sorba Thomas coming close just before the break.
Then James then saw a left -wing cross bobble over the face of the goal in the second half, with no one who got the necessary touch to put it home.
But it was the home team that scored the opening goal, which seemed like it would be decisive when Miovski bounced.
Yet they were unable to keep their concentration for the entire course of the game, with Jordan James struck a warning when he missed a chance in the 94th minute.
It was Brooks who got the most important equalizer, who clambed home in the 96th minute, but North Macedonia will be disappointed that he did not release his unorthodox finish before he crossed the line.
The draw leaves North Macedonia first and Wales second in group J after two games, in which Belgium is still playing because of their Nations League obligations.
FT | 1-1
A dramatic end in Skopje! Four points to start our @fifaworldcup -qualifier campaign
pic.twitter.com/Beenevo3vR
– Wales (@Cymru) March 25, 2025
Data debrief: Wales leaves it late
The dramatic intervention of Brooks made the eight straight world cup qualifications with a goal for Wales, which has been their longest run since 2016.
They are now also unbeaten in their last 11 World Cup qualifications, because they offer to make back-to-back editions of the tournament for the first time.
In the meantime, the Equalizer was the first goal of Wales in the 90th minute or later in an away game since another attempt by the Bournemouth man, in Latvia in November 2023.
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