Wales thrash North Macedonia to book World Cup play-off spot | OneFootball

Wales finished their group campaign in style, tearing North Macedonia apart in Cardiff with a performance full of flair, pace, and ruthless finishing.

Harry Wilson stole the show with a hat-trick, while five different players got on the scoresheet as Craig Bellamy’s side cruised to a 7-1 win and secured home advantage for their World Cup play-off semi-final.

With a play-off spot still up for grabs, Wales wasted no time making a statement. David Brooks won an early penalty, and Wilson calmly slotted it home to set the tone.

Moments later, Brooks doubled the lead with a looping finish after Brennan Johnson had carved open the defence.

North Macedonia pulled one back through Bojan Miovski, but it barely slowed the hosts, as Johnson soon rifled in a deflected shot to make it 3-1 by half-time.

After the break, Wales turned the dial up even further. A slick move involving Brooks and Wilson ended with Dan James sliding in the fourth, before Wilson curled in a stunning free-kick.

The Fulham forward completed his hat-trick from the spot after being fouled, becoming the first Welshman to net three since Gareth Bale. And in stoppage time, debutant Isaak Davies flicked on a corner for Nathan Broadhead to poke home the seventh, capping off Wales’ biggest win in almost 50 years.

It was Wales’ most convincing performance under Bellamy - stylish, confident, and the perfect springboard into the play-offs in March.