Germany suffers first home defeat to North Macedonia, their first defeat in the qualifying rounds for 20 years. Macedonians put up a good fight against the Germans, in a match where the germans struggled to find the back of the net. Though, Germany controlled the game but were unfortunate not to have converted their chances.
Eljif Elmas scored an 85th-minute goal, to hand the North Macedonians victory. Joachim Low, who has been the coach of Germany since the 2006 world cup had announced his departure in the summer, after the European Championship, expressed his disappointment,
Low said, “This is bitterly disappointing,
"We were not fresh enough, we made mistakes. When we played quickly we were dangerous but we did not find the tools to be really threatening.
"Overall, it was disappointing to lose like that at home."
The visitor's veteran striker, Goran Pandev struck home late in the first half, when he was left unmarked before Iikay Gundogan equalized for the germans in the 63rd minutes from the spot, after a foul by Leeds United’s Alioski on Leroy Sane. Timo Werner then missed a golden chance, ten minutes later to put his team ahead.
Emre Can handled the ball in his box but was lucky to get away with it. Elmas then buried the game in the 85th minute.
This victory put the North Macedonians on six points, same with the Germans, in second position with goal difference separating the two sides.
Timo Werner's miss