North Macedonia suffers second UEFA Nations League defeat

North Macedonia suffered their second defeat in the new edition of the UEFA Nations League. Slovenia proved too strong for the national team, securing a 2-0 victory in Ljubljana.

Goce Sedloski’s side were evenly matched in the first half but once again failed to find the net. Slovenia broke their resistance in the second half, scoring twice to secure victory and three points, CE Report informs via the Football Federation of North Macedonia's official website.

Sedloski made as many as eight changes to the starting lineup compared with the match against Switzerland. North Macedonia were well organised and managed to match the hosts for most of the first half.

Slovenia could have taken the lead as early as the second minute. Žan Vipotnik produced a shot following the first serious attack, but the ball hit the crossbar.

North Macedonia responded immediately. In the sixth minute, Agon Elezi found himself in an excellent position inside the six-yard box, but his shot was blocked at the last moment and went over the bar.

The hosts regained the initiative around the 25th minute. Žan Karničnik fired a shot after a well-worked move, but it was off target. Vipotnik threatened again moments later, but Stole Dimitrievski was safe in goal.

North Macedonia had one more attempt before the break through Elezi. He shot from around 18 metres, but the ball went wide.

Slovenia were again more dangerous at the start of the second half. Daniel Šturm had a great chance in the 48th minute but shot wide.

Just seven minutes later, Slovenia took the lead. Following an attack down the right, the ball reached Sandi Lovrić, who fired a powerful angled shot into the far corner. Meliqi attempted to block the effort, but the ball changed direction off his intervention and ended up in the net.

After the goal, Sedloski responded with several substitutions. Enis Bardhi, Hristijan Malesski, Luka Stankovski and Bojan Miovski came on, and North Macedonia began pushing forward in search of an equaliser.

In the 78th minute, a good opportunity opened up following an attack by Luka Stankovski, but there was no North Macedonian player inside the six-yard box to turn the situation into a shot.

Instead of an equaliser, North Macedonia suffered another blow. In the 82nd minute, Slovenia launched a quick counterattack. Aljoša Matko received the ball in an ideal position, went one-on-one with Dimitrievski and made it 2-0.

North Macedonia could have pulled one back immediately. Three minutes later, Hristijan Malesski shot from an angle on the right, but Jan Oblak made an excellent save.

There were no further changes to the score. After two Nations League matches, North Macedonia remain without a point and without a goal, while their poor run in front of goal continues.

Photo Football Federation of North Macedonia