UEFA Champions League 1st Qualifying Round
Shkendija 2 - 1 AET The New Saints
Player Cards
Season performance ratings for players in this match
Shkendija
Midfielders
N. Shepperd
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
K. Craig
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
H. McGahey
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
J. Bodenham
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. Redmond
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
R. Holden
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. Corness
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. Williams
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
J. Williams
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
B. Wilson
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
R. Brobbel
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
BENCH
J. Edwards
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
J. Owen
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
J. Marshall
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
R. Astles
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
K. Charles
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Cieslewicz
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
H. Godsmark-Ford
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Oteh
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
B. Clark
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
J. Nadin
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
L. Phillips
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
J. Canavan
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
The New Saints
Midfielders
B. Gaye
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Trumci
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
I. Fetai
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
K. Cake
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
R. Webster
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
R. Ramadani
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
K. Qaka
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
F. Tamba
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
E. Krasniqi
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
L. Latifi
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
B. Ibraimi
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
BENCH
A. Amzai
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
F. Ramani
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Alhassan
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
F. Ramadani
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
F. Ademi
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Murati
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
N. Ceka
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
V. Krstevski
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
N. Ajetovikj
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Meliqi
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
L. Kaba
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Nuhija
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08/07/2025 | The New Saints | 0 - 0 | Shkendija | UEFA Champions League | Park Hall |
| 17/07/2018 | The New Saints | 4 - 0 | Shkendija | UEFA Champions League | Park Hall |
| 10/07/2018 | Shkendija | 5 - 0 | The New Saints | UEFA Champions League | Ecolog Arena |
08/07/2025
17/07/2018
10/07/2018
Shkendija Win
The New Saints Win
Draw
AI-powered match analysis and previews to help you decide which games are worth watching
Own Goal Drama Seals Shkendija's Champions League Escape Act
Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 48/100. When J. Bodenham turned the ball past his own goalkeeper in the 116th minute, Shkendija snatched a lifeline that The New Saints will regret for months.
Early Intensity Favours the Home Side
From kickoff at National Arena Toshe Proeski, the Intensity belonged to Shkendija. F. Tamba's finish in the 18th minute—a clinical conversion from B. Ibraimi's assist—set the tone for a side determined to control this Champions League qualifying battle. The home team pressed high, suffocated the midfield, and gave The New Saints little room to breathe in the opening exchanges.
The Plot Twist That Changed Everything
Just when Shkendija appeared to be running away with it, J. Williams levelled the Stakes with a 38th-minute equaliser that jolted the tie back into equilibrium. The Welsh side showed character, refusing to be overwhelmed by their Macedonian hosts. The first half ended level, and the Balance of the tie hung precariously in the balance heading into the second period. What followed was a war of attrition—neither side willing to yield, both sensing opportunity in a fixture where progression hung by a thread.
Extra-Time Agony and Redemption
The match stretched beyond 90 minutes, pushing both teams into the psychological minefield of extra time. Then came the moment that will haunt The New Saints: Bodenham's own goal in the 116th minute, assisted inadvertently by F. Ademi's pressure, handed Shkendija an undeserved but decisive advantage. It was the cruelest of finishes—not a moment of brilliance, but a moment of misfortune that rewarded the team that had dominated without always convincing. Shkendija's 2-1 victory sends them through, but this was no masterclass. This was survival.
Key Questions
Who scored for Shkendija?
F. Tamba opened the scoring in the 18th minute, assisted by B. Ibraimi. An own goal by J. Bodenham in the 116th minute sealed it.
When did The New Saints equalise?
J. Williams levelled in the 38th minute, bringing The New Saints back into the match before extra-time heartbreak.
Where was the match played?
National Arena Toshe Proeski in Skopje, North Macedonia. Shkendija's fortress proved decisive in this Champions League qualifier.
How is the Futmetrix Score calculated?
The Futmetrix Score (0-100) combines multiple factors: match intensity, competitive balance, stakes importance, and entertainment value to help you decide if this match is worth watching.
Macedonian Heat Meets Welsh Resilience
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 8/100. This is a tactical chess match where the lack of Stars is replaced by high-stakes defensive discipline and the desperation to advance.
The Setup
As the sun sets over the National Arena Toshe Proeski on July 15, 2025, Shkendija and The New Saints face off in a tie defined by its narrow competitive Balance. In the opening round of the UEFA Champions League qualifiers, both sides understand that one defensive lapse could end their journey toward the lucrative league stage before it truly begins. Shkendija brings a slight home advantage, but their early-season Form remains a question mark, while the visitors from Wales are known for their organization and ability to grind out results in hostile environments. With the Stakes high but the technical Stars power limited, this match will be won in the margins.
Key Battle
The decisive confrontation will take place in the middle of the pitch, where the home side’s creative engine tries to break down the disciplined away block. Without marquee individuals to produce moments of magic, Shkendija will rely on high-intensity pressing to force turnovers. Conversely, the away back line must maintain their structural integrity for the full ninety minutes, looking to exploit the spaces left behind when the hosts overextend. It is a classic battle of initiative versus counter-punching attrition.
Our Prediction
Expect a cagey affair that reflects the 1.0 Stakes rating, as neither side will want to concede the away goal early. The hosts will likely control the tempo and possession, but the Welsh side is adept at absorbing pressure. A 1-1 draw seems the most plausible outcome; the hosts should find a breakthrough via a sustained period of pressure, but a late lapse in concentration will allow the visitors to level the score through a well-drilled set-piece routine, leaving the tie perfectly poised for the second leg.
Key Questions
Should I watch this match?
Only if you enjoy the raw tension of European qualifiers; it lacks star power but offers high competitive drama.
What's the predicted outcome?
A 1-1 draw that keeps both teams alive for the return leg in Wales.
Where are Shkendija and The New Saints in the league table?
This is a knockout qualifier; domestic league standings are currently irrelevant to this Champions League pursuit.
What is The New Saints's current form?
They show strong defensive Balance, though their competitive Form is still warming up for the continental stage.
What does this mean for qualification?
The winner of this tie moves to the second qualifying round, eyeing the top-24 playoff line.
How is the Futmetrix Score calculated?
The Futmetrix Score (0-100) combines multiple factors: match intensity, competitive balance, stakes importance, and entertainment value to help you decide if this match is worth watching.