Italy Draw with Macedonia in 2018 World Cup Qualifier Stunner
Oct 6, 2017
TURIN, ITALY - OCTOBER 06: Marco Parolo of Italy (L) competes for the ball with Goran Pandev of FYR Macedonia during the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier between Italy and FYR Macedonia at Stadio Olimpico on October 6, 2017 in Turin, Italy . (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
Italy drew 1-1 with Macedonia in UEFA Group G qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino on Friday.
Giorgio Chiellini gave the Italians the lead shortly before half-time, as the hosts struggled through an abject opening period.
Aleksandar Trajkovski shocked the home team with 13 minutes left on the clock, grabbing a surprise equaliser as Italy relaxed too soon.
Italy were nowhere near top gear from the first whistle, and Macedonia appeared content to sit and defend.
The hosts almost took the lead through Lorenzo Insigne, but the diminutive forward was foiled by goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski in the opening stages.
Macedonia did a good job of absorbing the Italians' best work in attack, but there was little action as the game went through a stale passage.
Italy finally were handed the lead just five minutes before the interval, as Chiellini tapped home after pouncing on Ciro Immobile's clever assist.
Macedonia's defender Stefan Ristovski (L), Macedonia's forward Marjan Radeski (C) and Italy's defender Leonardo Bonucci (R) fight for the ball during the FIFA World Cup 2018 qualification football match between Italy and Macedonia on October 6, 2017 at th
It seemed the goal wouldn't come as Italy appeared laboured, but Macedonia allowed their opponents to break the deadlock.
The second half produced more of the same, with poor quality and a lack of urgency underpinning the match.
Italy kept possession comfortably as Macedonia tried to venture forward, but stopper Gianluigi Buffon was rarely stretched or in trouble.
As the hosts cantered to what appeared an expected win, they were suddenly stunned as Macedonia rolled the dice, scoring and equalising.
Macedonia's forward Aleksandar Trajkovski (C) celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2018 qualification football match between Italy and Macedonia at The 'Grande Torino Stadium' in Turin on October 6, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / MARCO
With nothing to lose and 12 minutes remaining, Trajkovski latched on to Goran Pandev's assist, and he fired home from an acute angle with aplomb.
The goal produced wild celebrations from the visitors, and Macedonia had dared to dream in order to claim their brilliant strike.
Italy pushed for a winner in the final moments, but Macedonia were worth their point in one of the greatest nights in their football history.
The Italians firmly consolidate second spot in the standings, but it will take time for them to get over the embarrassment of this result on their home turf.
