North Macedonia inflicted Germany’s first World Cup qualifying loss for 20 years as the Balkan country celebrated their greatest ever international victory.
Eljif Elmas scored an 85th-minute winner after four-times world champions Germany had controlled the World Cup Group J qualifier on Wednesday but struggled to create chances against the disciplined North Macedonians.
In Joachim Low’s last ever qualifying game in charge ahead of his departure following this summer’s European Championship, Germany fell to a team ranked 65th in the world.
Despite Germany enjoying 70 per cent possession in the first half and Leon Goretzka hitting the crossbar, it was the visitors who scored when 37-year-old Goran Pandev was left unmarked in the box to tap home in first-half stoppage time.
A 63rd-minute Ilkay Gundogan penalty drew the hosts level but despite late pressure and a golden chance for Timo Werner 10 minutes from time, Germany could not find a winner.
Instead, it was Elmas who scored to lift North Macedonia to six points, level with Germany in Group J and three behind leaders Armenia.
