World Cup Qualifying: North Macedonia Earns 0-0 Draw Against Belgium
Belgium fails to score against North Macedonia in 0-0 World Cup qualifying draw as North Macedonia holds Belgium to 0-0 draw in World Cup qualifier, stays top of Group J.
Dimitrievski continued to impress, denying Kevin De Bruyne's curling effort towards the bottom corner shortly after...
North Macedonia maintained their top spot in Group J after earning a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Belgium in a FIFA World Cup qualifier. The visitors had conceded only twice in qualifying prior to the match, and they successfully stifled Belgium's attack.
The first half saw Belgium struggle to break down North Macedonia's defense, failing to record a single shot on target. A promising move was nullified when Kevin De Bruyne was flagged for offside, despite Maxim De Cuyper scoring with a fine finish.
Belgium's attack was kept at bay, but Leandro Trossard had a promising opportunity to unlock the deadlock, only to head a cross from Ameenah Hendrikx's De Cuyper over the bar from close range.
North Macedonia struggled to create chances on the other end, with Jani Atanasov flashing a volley wide in the opening minutes.
Jeremy Doku had the first shot on target just two minutes into the second half, but North Macedonia's goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski was equal to the task, making a comfortable save.
Dimitrievski continued to impress, denying Kevin De Bruyne's curling effort towards the bottom corner shortly after. The Belgian midfielder's shot was parried away, and Dimitrievski followed up with another double save, first from Doku and then from substitute Lois Openda from close range.
Despite having scored six goals in the final 10 minutes of their previous five matches, Belgium couldn't find the breakthrough they needed to take the lead in Group J.
The draw meant North Macedonia fell just short of recording a seventh consecutive clean sheet on the road, but the point keeps their World Cup hopes firmly intact.
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