North Macedonia stunned four-time world champions Germany as Eljif Elmas’ late goal secured a shock win.
Goran Pandev had put North Macedonia ahead in the 2022 World Cup qualifier on the stroke of half-time.
Ilkay Gundogan equalised from the penalty spot early in the second half after Leroy Sane had been fouled.
But North Macedonia, ranked 65th in the world, snatched victory with five minutes remaining when Elmas struck from close range.
Chelsea forward Timo Werner missed a glorious chance to score for Joachim Low’s side before North Macedonia’s winner but somehow fired wide from close range.
‘We’ve never beaten a team with so many titles’
It was a first defeat in Group J for Germany and the first goals they had conceded in qualifying.
The loss also ended their 35-game unbeaten run in World Cup qualifying, stretching back to their 5-1 defeat by England in 2001.
“This is bitterly disappointing,” Low said.
“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.”
North Macedonia’s win was their second in Group J and means they are second with six points, three behind leaders Armenia with Germany third.
“These lads have made North Macedonia proud against the winners of four World Cup titles and three European championships,” North Macedonia coach Igor Angelovski said.
“We’ve never beaten a team with so many titles. Now we have to get some rest as what we have accomplished still hasn’t sunk in.”
Before kick-off, Germany’s players unfurled a banner supporting human rights.
Germany players also wore T-shirts to show support for Qatar migrant workers before their World Cup qualifying win over Iceland on Thursday.
Line-ups
Germany
Formation 3-1-4-2
- 22ter Stegen
- 4GinterSubstituted forMusialaat 89′minutesBooked at 89mins
- 16RüdigerBooked at 37mins
- 23CanBooked at 90mins
- 6Kimmich
- 19SanéBooked at 46mins
- 18Goretzka
- 21Gündogan
- 7GosensBooked at 28minsSubstituted forYounesat 56′minutes
- 10HavertzSubstituted forWernerat 56′minutes
- 20Gnabry
Substitutes
- 1Trapp
- 2Max
- 5Tah
- 8Musiala
- 9Werner
- 11Younes
- 12Leno
- 13Klostermann
- 14Neuhaus
- 17Wirtz
North Macedonia
Formation 5-3-2
- 1Dimitrievski
- 16NikolovSubstituted forBejtulaiat 59′minutes
- 13Ristovski
- 14VelkovskiBooked at 5mins
- 6Musliu
- 8AlioskiSubstituted forRistevskiat 90′minutes
- 17Bardhi
- 5Ademi
- 21ElmasBooked at 67mins
- 9TrajkovskiSubstituted forSpirovskiat 72′minutes
- 10PandevBooked at 77minsSubstituted forStojanovskiat 90′minutes
Substitutes
- 2Bejtulai
- 3Askovski
- 4Ristevski
- 7Radeski
- 11Hasani
- 12Bogatinov
- 18Stojanovski
- 19Velkoski
- 20Spirovski
- 22Siskovski
- 23Ibraimi
- Referee:
- Sergey Karasev
Match Stats
Live Text
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Match ends, Germany 1, North Macedonia 2.
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Second Half ends, Germany 1, North Macedonia 2.
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Joshua Kimmich (Germany) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Stefan Spirovski (North Macedonia).
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Offside, North Macedonia. Vlatko Stojanovski tries a through ball, but Arijan Ademi is caught offside.
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Attempt blocked. Vlatko Stojanovski (North Macedonia) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Eljif Elmas.
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Foul by Leon Goretzka (Germany).
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Darko Velkovski (North Macedonia) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Emre Can (Germany) is shown the yellow card.
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Leon Goretzka (Germany) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Vlatko Stojanovski (North Macedonia).
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Attempt missed. Leroy Sané (Germany) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Amin Younes.
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Substitution, North Macedonia. Kire Ristevski replaces Ezgjan Alioski.
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Substitution, North Macedonia. Vlatko Stojanovski replaces Goran Pandev.
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Substitution, Germany. Jamal Musiala replaces Matthias Ginter.
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Jamal Musiala (Germany) is shown the yellow card.
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Goal! Germany 1, North Macedonia 2. Eljif Elmas (North Macedonia) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Arijan Ademi.
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Corner, North Macedonia. Conceded by Amin Younes.
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Foul by Amin Younes (Germany).
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Eljif Elmas (North Macedonia) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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