North Macedonia put on a defensive masterclass to hold Belgium to a 0-0 draw away in its World Cup qualifier on Friday and stay one point ahead in Group J.

The visitor kept out everything Belgium could throw at it in a near 90-minute siege and leads with 12 points from six games, one ahead of Belgium, which has a game in hand.

Belgium attacked continually almost from the start, with Jeremy Doku trying to open up the defence from the left flank and Kevin De Bruyne probing from the edge of the area.

But Belgium’s efforts were thwarted by a committed defence, and when it was breached, goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski came up with some key saves.

Doku regularly sold dummies to defenders to set up chances, only for the last effort to be blocked or saved, while De Bruyne’s best effort from the edge of the area took a deflection and went away for a corner.

North Macedonia, which has never been to the World Cup but did cause a shock when it qualified for the 2020 European Championship, had two attempts on goal from rare counterattack chances, but there was barely anything for home goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to do.

“We did everything we could to score, but it was frustrating. If we had got a first goal, I’m sure we would have got a lot more,” Belgian midfielder Hans Vanaken told VTM television.

Belgium has a game in hand and is still fancied to win the group and qualify for next June’s tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

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But it will need to be sharper in front of goal if it is to get a much-needed away win against Wales in Cardiff on Monday and take over the leadership of the group. It finishes its fixtures next month at Kazakhstan and at home to Liechtenstein.

North Macedonia’s final two group games are at home to Kazakhstan on Monday, and it finishes away against Wales on November 18.

Wales, which has 10 points from five games, benefited from the draw and remains in contention, but its cause rests on beating Belgium on Monday.

Sweden’s World Cup hopes in shreds after defeat to Switzerland

Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka scored from the spot as his side beat Sweden 2-0 in the World Cup qualifying Group B clash, leaving the Swedes’ hopes of qualifying for next year’s finals hanging by a thread after another dismal display.

Switzerland tops the group with a perfect nine points from its opening three games, with Kosovo second on four points and Slovenia third on two after it played out a scoreless draw in Pristina. The Swedes are bottom with a point.

The host was outplayed throughout, with Switzerland taking the lead in the 65th minute after Alexander Bernhardsson sent Djibril Sow sprawling in the box with a push in the back, and Xhaka blasted the resulting penalty straight down the middle.

A frustrating night for the Swedes was punctuated when Swiss substitute Johan Manzabi’s tame effort was deflected past keeper Viktor Johansson in second-half stoppage time, condemning them to a second defeat in three games that leaves their qualifying chances in tatters.

Published on Oct 11, 2025