Macedonian journalists praised the team for their good performance in the first half and admitted that before the game, few believed that they would be able to play so well against the Ukrainians. Despite the defeat, they called Macedonia's performance good, but admitted that the team lacked the strength to play at a high level for the full 90 minutes. Local media also fear the upcoming game with England, as defence is Macedonia's weakness, having conceded 4 goals in two matches.
Sportski
"One half was not enough: Ukraine wins in Skopje with three goals in the second half" - after reading the headline, it becomes clear that the article is about two different halves played by the North Macedonian national team. The journalist is surprised that the national team lost the game after winning 2-0 and controlling the match in the first half.
"The Macedonian national team played two different halves and lost to the Ukrainian national team in Skopje with a score of 2-3. The game started calmly, with no chances on either side, but we reached the goal in half an hour. After reviewing the VAR, the referee awarded a penalty in the 30th minute, and Anis Bardi scored the first goal with an 11-metre shot. Elmas scored the second goal 8 minutes later. Macedonia retained the lead and went into the break with an excellent 2-0 score, but in the second half, Macedonia's performance completely collapsed and they lost.
In five minutes, Ukraine scored two goals and then provoked a Macedonian penalty. Ukraine was able to use its numerical advantage on the pitch, so ten minutes later Tsygankov scored a goal and Mudryk added a second assist.
After three rounds played in the group, Macedonia has three points after a victory over Malta in the first round and a defeat against Ukraine (Macedonia missed the second round), and in three days we will have a difficult visit to England."
New Macedonia
"Ukraine celebrated on a grand scale, Elmas' extraordinary goal was not enough," a journalist from Nova Makedonija also noted Macedonia's good performance in the first half, but it was not enough to draw at least a draw.
"Macedonia's national football team lost to Ukraine this evening with a score of 2-3 at the Todor Proeski Arena in Skopje, despite a 2-0 lead until the 62nd minute in a qualifying match for the European Championships to be held in Germany next year. Macedonia and Ukraine now have one win and one loss each in two matches played in qualifying Group C.
Anis Bardi's 31st-minute penalty and Elif Elmas' brilliant long-range strike eight minutes later put Macedonia ahead, while Ukraine reversed the deficit with goals from Ilya Zabarny in the 62nd, Yukhym Konoplya in the 68th and Viktor Tsygankov in the 83rd minute. Macedonian defender Vissar Musliu was sent off for a second yellow card in the 73rd minute.
On Monday, Macedonia will visit England, which has a maximum of nine points after today's 4-0 win over Malta, and Ukraine will play Malta.
Group C also includes Italy, which is not playing qualifying matches at the moment but is taking part in the final tournament of the third round of the Nations League, where it was defeated by Spain last night with a 1-2 loss in the semi-finals.
The first two teams from each of the ten qualifying groups will qualify for this year's European Championships in Germany."
Sportmanija
Journalists from Sportmanija talk about how disappointed the fans are after the unexpected defeat by Ukraine. The financial component is also discussed, as for local fans, watching football with their families at the stadium is the most expensive pleasure (100 euros per family). And given the end of the match, people scolded the players for witnessing another defeat instead of a victory.
"Joy, happiness, then sadness, disappointment and, finally, indignation and whistling from Macedonian fans who came to the Todor Proeski arena to watch the match between Macedonia and Ukraine. Our team was winning 2-0, but eventually lost 2-3, which caused a storm of indignation and criticism from the fans. Immediately after the match, one could hear and read an avalanche of negative comments from disappointed Macedonian fans at the stadium and on social media. Some insulted the team, some were disappointed in football, some commented without any reason that it was a match-fixing, and some pointed out that fans spend a lot of money to watch the match live at the stadium and then leave disappointed.
It's rare to see hundreds of comments directed at Macedonia, who not only failed to maintain a 2-0 lead, but also ended up losing at home to a team that is actually ranked third in terms of quality and rank in a group that also includes former world champions England and Italy."
