Let those who planned it come forward and buy a crystal ball. By eliminating European champion Italy from the race for the 2022 World Cup, North Macedonia have struck a huge blow. Before the match, however, no one could have imagined that this tiny country, stuck somewhere in the Balkans, could not bring down the National.
Few, moreover, were those who could tell us about its strengths and weaknesses, its history and its players. After placing its name on the football world map, the selection coached by Blagoja Milevski tackles another big chunk of the old continent on Tuesday March 29: Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal. “We will have 90 minutes to realize our childhood dream, not only ours, but that of the whole country.“, said midfielder Elif Elmas on the eve of the game. A feat that would qualify North Macedonia for the first World Cup in its history.
North Macedonia have not participated in any World Cup
Let’s get straight to the heart of the matter. Facing Portugal, North Macedonia is therefore playing its place in the next World Cup in a single match. It would be a first for the small country of nearly two million inhabitants, located in the Balkans. In 2021, North Macedonia took part in its first international competition on the occasion of the Euro. The competition finally ended in three defeats in as many games against Austria (3-1), Ukraine (2-1) and the Netherlands (3-0).
A victory against Germany (1-2) in qualifying
If they have not (yet) signed an exploit in major competition, the “Red Lions” excelled in the World Cup qualifiers. Present in Group J, they had achieved the feat of winning in Germany (1-2), thanks to goals from experienced captain Goran Pandev (38) and local prodigy Eljif Elmas (22). ).
In addition to this convincing result, North Macedonia had also snatched a draw (2-2) and a victory (3-1) against Iceland, or signed cards against Liechtenstein (5-0, 0-4) or Armenia (0-5). In the end, North Macedonia finished the group stage in second place, behind Mannschaft.
/2022/03/27/phpkM9htD.jpg)
Eljif Elmas, local gem
From the height of his 22 years, Eljif Elmas already has 10 goals in 38 selections. During the qualifying phase alone, the one who plays in midfield was decisive in the course of his team by scoring four goals. Quickly going from the status of a promising youngster to that of a national jewel, Elmas nevertheless left North Macedonia at the age of eighteen. First in the direction of Turkey, at Fenerbahçe, then finally in Italy. Since the 2019-2020 season, it has been evolving under the colors of Naples and is part of the furniture at the foot of Vesuvius. While his team shines in the league, the attacking midfielder has already scored six goals in thirty-eight games.
Lately, the Italian and Spanish media, never stingy with indiscretions (or fantasies), believe that his name is circulating in some European clubs and more particularly in Spain, where Real Madrid and Barcelona could put his name on their list. at the next transfer window.
The 67th nation in the FIFA rankings
It is always an interesting indicator. In the FIFA rankings, which lists teams from five continents, North Macedonia is in 67th position. For four years, she always ranks between 60th and 74th place. It is notably better than South Africa, opponent of the France team on Tuesday in Lille, Bulgaria or even Montenegro. By beating Italy, the men of Blagoja Milevski, therefore, brought down the sixth nation in the world.
This is a ranking all the more honorable as North Macedonia is still a rather young nation in the world of football. The national team played its first official match on October 13, 1993, almost thirty years ago. It was against Slovenia and the Macedonians won (4-1).