Macedonia keep the ball with some neat play in the midfield third, before a pass out to Bardhi on the left-hand side runs directly out of play. If they just had a little bit more offensive quality, Drulovic's men could have really hurt La Roja's qualification plans tonight.
90'
There are three minutes of stoppage time, with Spain needing to see out a very narrow win here.
88'
Petrovic commits a poor tackle on Carvajal, with the Real Madrid defender needing a moment to compose himself. The Macedonia midfielder could maybe consider himself a little lucky, given that he picked up a booking before the interval.
86'
With less than five minutes left to play, things might get slightly nervy for La Roja. One mistake could lead to one of Macedonia's fresh attackers racing upfield and working De Gea. Spain are retaining the ball and maintaining control in the contest, for the moment, however.
85'
A. Ibraimi enters the game and replaces M. Radeski.
84'
Iniesta tries to lift a pass through to Silva, but Zhuta half clears, before the Macedonia left-back is called into action again to make a good block. Ibraimi is brought into the game by Drulovic for the dying minutes, with Radeski heading off. The Maribor man is widely recognised as the country's most exciting offensive player.
82'
Iniesta wins the ball back from Brdarovski high upfield, but the Barca midfielder is penalised for a foul - just as Silva thought he was through on goal. We're well into the last 10 minutes in Skopje, with Spain looking to have done just enough to take home three points in Group C.
80'
Bernat breaks down the left, before setting a pass back to Iniesta. The substitute curls a diagonal into Carvajal, who squares a powerful cross-cum-shot on the volley, but Koke can't stretch enough to head home at the back post!
78'
Andrés Iniesta enters the game and replaces Isco.
Bardi is brought into the game for the final 15 minutes, with Macedonia still on the back foot. Silva forces a corner from Hasani, before taking the set piece himself, but a near-post attempt from Ramos goes wide! Not too far away.
77'
E. Bardhi enters the game and replaces S. Ashkovski.
Minute
Description
76'
This game continues to be very low on quality, with Silva looking to try and inspire La Roja to a goal on his own. The Man City man sets off on a weaving run, but is denied quickly by Brdarovski! Macedonia try to break, but Ramos manages to outmuscle Trajkovski with ease.
74'
Carvajal tries to break down the right, but the former Leverkusen man runs the ball narrowly out of play. Moments later, the same right-back is fed down his channel, but Pachovski is quick off his line to smother at the feet of his opponent. Confident claim from the goalkeeper.
72'
Mata finds Alcacer in an offside position, but the Valencia striker manages to slot a phenomenal finish into the back of the net from the tightest of angles! Pachovski definitely hasn't looked too competent when he has been tested, but Spain have been limited to only a couple of clear-cut chances thus far.
70'
Alcacer manages to win a throw in for Spain in an advanced area, but an eventual cross from the right-hand side is headed clear by Shikov. Bernat is subject to a positive diagonal from Busquets, but Brdarovski is on hand to intervene with his head on this occasion. Del Bosque's men just can't seem to crack the Macedonian nut.
69'
A. Trajkovski enters the game and replaces M. Ivanovski.
Koke enters the game and replaces Santi Cazorla.
68'
Attack after attack just keeps petering out for Spain. Macedonia's counters are blunt, with this game remaining dull. Koke is being introduced for Cazorla, with La Roja needing a bit more inspiration to double their lead. Meanwhile, Trajkovski is coming into the game for the hosts.
66'
Less than half an hour is left on the clock, with Macedonia now starting to look to their substitutes' bench. After holding out and impressively for the majority of this contest, thinking might just be about to open up a little more. Cazorla tries to shoot from 30 yards, but the Spaniard's attempt is well blocked.
64'
More of the same from Spain, with Macedonia allowing their opponents to retain the ball until the final third of the pitch. The home side's back four are staying within the width of the penalty area, with La Roja unable to find any space to hurt their opponents. However, as long as the scoreline remains the same, Drulovic's side will have to be a little more gung-ho at some point.
62'
Paco Alcácer enters the game and replaces Diego Costa.
Costa is withdrawn for the away side, with Alcacer thrown into the fray. Given the physical nature of this tie, Del Bosque may suffer from replacing his ox-like forward with a weaker, more opportunistic one. Given that the Chelsea man picked up a yellow card before the interval, however, the ex-Real Madrid coach could be treading carefully.
60'
Close for Hasani! The midfielder is nearly presented with a good cross, after Ramos and Bernat failed to deal with a delivery from the left! Busquets slides in to deny Ivanovski and Hasani, before another ball is pumped into the box moments later with a similar result! The hosts are putting on a bit of pressure.
59'
Yet again, Silva is robbed of possession of the periphery of the Macedonia penalty area, with the hosts continuing to defend well. The red shirts are remaining compact and tough to play through, which is proving to be a real frustration for Spain.
58'
Mata clips a back-post cross into the vicinity of Isco, but the former Malaga man is unable to control the ball due to the pass being slightly too heavy. Spain are just unable to put Macedonia to the sword, with their wastefulness and lack of killer instinct in the final third capable of biting them later in this contest.
56'
Great tackle from Shikov! The central defender slides in to deny the Spaniard, after brilliant work down the right-hand side from Carvajal! The former Valencia man attempts to shimmy past his opponent, but once again the Austria Wien man isn't buying any of his body feints.
54'
The home side's combative style is definitely fracturing any kind of flow in this game, with Spain struggling to build up some momentum. Ramos for a dangerous diagonal into the path of Silva, but Brdarovski is alive to the danger and flicks a header behind for a corner. The set piece is half cleared, before Isco fires wide with the aid of a touch from the goalkeeper - but a goal kick is given.
52'
Brdarovski goes down holding his face, claiming that Silva kicked him, but there really wasn't anything in it from the Man City midfielder. That doesn't stop the Macedonia full-back from slowing the game down by rolling about and receiving some liberal treatment.
50'
Ramos looks for a long ball down the line to Costa, but the pass is too heavy for his teammate. Spain continue to push forward, but Cazorla is promptly tackled by Gligorov. The Macedonian central midfielders are doing a brilliant job of keeping Silva, Isco and Cazorla quiet.
48'
Busquets receives a yellow card for committing a cynical tackle on Hasani! The Macedonian midfielder caught the Barcelona man in possession, before driving to the edge of the penalty area. The Spain international had no option but to hack down his opponent, presenting the hosts with a dangerous free-kick opportunity. Hasani takes it, but his effort sails just over the bar!
47'
Sergio Busquets gets yellow.
46'
We are back underway in the second half in Skopje! The home fans aren't too happy, but Macedonia have managed to stay in the contest quite well until this point, with Drulovic's men still in touching distance of a surprise point.
45'
There is one minute of added time in the first half. Shikov manages to put in a good sliding tackle to deny an Isco strike at the very end of the action.
44'
Carvajal is picked out bombing on down the right flank, but Mata is then robbed of possession by Hasani. Macedonia are continuing to defend quite narrowly, which is really preventing Spain from carving out any clear-cut chances. Costa tries to shoot from the edge of the box, but sees the ball rattle into a huddle of red shirts.
42'
CARVAJAL HITS THE BAR! The Real Madrid full back lifts a cross in from the right-hand side, which swirls over the goalkeeper and thuds onto the woodwork! That would have been a carbon copy of the opening goal! Thankfully for Pachovski, this time the crossbar gods favour him. The rebound is nearly fired home by both Silva and Costa, but the ball escapes them!
41'
We're into the final five minutes in Skopje, with the tempo of this game being spoiled slightly by niggling fouls and playacting. Del Bosque's men are trying to work the ball from side to side, but it simply isn't quick enough at the moment.
39'
Play is restarted, with it appearing that Ivanovski went down holding his face without any real contact. Spain go back about their business and search for a second goal, but a long spell of build-up play resulting in Radeski denying Bernat. La Roja look to cut through the heart of the hosts' midfield moments later, but Cazorla and Silva's interplay isn't quite neat enough.
37'
Pique is penalised for a push after breaking into the box and challenging for a header, despite Spain feeling as though the Barca man was fouled himself! Carvajal then tries to feed a cross into the back post area, but Pachovski is able to claim easily. The goalkeeper attempts to kick start a counter with a quick kick upfield, before Ivanovski goes down claiming a blow from Ramos.
35'
Costa finds the feet of Silva, but Shikov steps out well to deny the former Valencia man and concede a corner. The same man is there to clear at the near post immediately, leading to a break from Macedonia. Ivanovski tries to chase a long ball and get in behind Ramos, but the Real Madrid man calmly feeds possession back to De Gea.
33'
M. Petrović gets yellow.
Hasani sprints to the left byline, but the former Wolfsburg midfielder is unable to keep the ball in play in order to deliver a cross. Macedonia are providing some kind of threat going forward, but their execution and quality in the final third has been essentially non-existent. It's no surprise that their fans are a little restless. Meanwhile, Petrovic picks up a booking for a strong challenge on Costa.
31'
That card for Costa means that he won't feature in La Roja's next fixture due to a ban, which will be against Luxembourg. The Chelsea forward hasn't had the first half all his own way, which is probably why his frustration is starting to show.
30'
Diego Costa gets yellow.
29'
Important block from Shikov and Ristevski! The two central defenders combine to deflect Silva's free-kick attempt over the target, before the former rises highest to head clear the resulting corner. Spain are starting to piece together more threatening attacks, but the Macedonian back four stand firm. Off the ball, Diego Costa picks up a yellow card for shoving Brdarovski.
28'
Cazorla and Silva combine well on the very edge of the hosts' penalty area, with Ristevski and Petrovic penalised for felling the former Villarreal midfielder. Spain will have the chance to test the goalkeeper from merely 20 yards out, but Pachovski has constructed a sizeable wall to protect him.
26'
Zhuta breaks down the left, before curling in a reasonable cross from the flank, but De Gea plucks it out of the air with ease. That is the first real contribution from the Man United goalkeeper, who has otherwise been a spectator. Macedonia's fans continue to whistle and jeer constantly when the opposition are on the ball, as Drulovic attempts to keep his personnel organised defensively.
24'
Isco tries to lift a through ball over the Macedonia back four in order to find the run of Silva, but the pass from the Real Madrid midfielder sails straight into Pachovski's arms. The hosts try to break, but Ivanovski is challenged and pressured well by Carvajal and Ramos. This hasn't been all one way!
22'
Diego Costa is being kept very quiet by Shikov and Ristevski, with the Chelsea forward only able to muster up one poor shot. Macedonia try to mount yet another quick break forward, but Ivanovski manages to run the ball straight out of play. The home fans whistle and jeer, they aren't happy with what they're seeing.
20'
Good clearance from Shikov! Silva has a shot from a tight angle, following a short corner, but the Austria Wien defender is equal to it. Macedonia try to break, but a forward pass from Askovski is cut out easily by Busquets. Ivanovski is looking a little isolated, but Drulovic's men are trying to sally forth and test their opponents.
18'
The home team are enraging their supporters slightly, whenever they give away possession under light pressure. Del Bosque's men are starting to get into the stride now, but Macedonia continue make things difficult by packing their area. Bernat is nearly picked out on the diagonal by Mata, but Radeski tracks back to make a vital interception with his head.
16'
Busquets gives away a free kick in the midfield third, with Macedonia able to load the edge of the box with bodies. Shikov is the target, but Pique manages to challenge easily with the hosts' centre-back. Petrovic manages to slide in, around 12 yards from goal, but the midfielder can only lift a poor effort high of the target.
14'
Spain are trying to get their foot on the ball and play nice football, but Macedonia's pressing is frustrating the favourites at the moment. Their system isn't allowing for too much space in between the lines, meaning that it has been tough for Silva, Isco and Mata to pop up unmarked in little pockets in front of the hosts' back four.
12'
Diego Costa drives down the left flank, before chopping back onto his right foot! The former Atletico man can only find the side netting with his shot, with Pachovski happy to watch the ball behind. Spain have looked dangerous in attack, but haven't been necessarily convincing at the back.
10'
Ivanovski manages to drive upfield and win a corner for the hosts, much to the delight of the home fans. Pique manages to half clear, before Ristevski turns a terrible glancing header tamely beyond the target. Fortunately for Macedonia, they can keep the pressure on, but a shot from the edge of the box from Radeski is blocked by Hasani.
8'
T. Pachovski is unfortunate, scores an own goal!
GOOOOOOOOOOAL! A FLUKE FROM MATA! The former Chelsea man swings a cross in towards the back post from the right, which loops over Pachovski and into the back of the net! It strikes the top of the back post on its way in, deflecting off the goalkeeper too. Spain lead 1-0!
7'
Isco looks to part the Macedonian defence with an incisive pass, but the back four for the hosts is standing firm. Askovski and Radeski aren't afraid to drop deep and track their men tightly. Spain win themselves a free kick in a dangerous area, following a push from Zhuta on Silva.
5'
It has all been a little bit untidy in the opening minutes, with both teams giving away possession in scrappy fashion in midfield. Askovski is found by a ball sprayed out to the left flank, but the winger's first touch bobbles immediately out of play for a throw in. Spain counter as a result, but a long ball over the top for Diego Costa heads behind for a goal kick.
3'
Askovski tries to dribble in from the left-hand side, but Ramos steps out quickly to deny the hosts' attack. Spain are enjoying the majority of possession, with Macedonia looking to try and press aggressively to unsettle their opponents. The home fans whistle every second that La Roja spend on the ball.
1'
We are underway in the first half in Skopje! The hosts are in their home kit of red, meaning that Sergio Ramos and company are donning black with a luminous green trim.
Hello and welcome to live coverage of Spain's European Championship qualifier in Macedonia, as La Roja look to build upon a positive 2-0 win over Slovakia last time out. Currently, Vicente Del Bosque's men sit on top of Group C with 18 points, with Ukraine and their last opponents within touching distance. Three points tonight would put the visitors well on their way to France next summer. The hosts, meanwhile, have only one win from their seven group games.
I'm Simon Harrison and I will be keeping you up to date with all of the action from Skopje. Confidence may be low in Macedonia's camp, however, following a narrow 1-0 defeat to Luxembourg last week. Drulovic's men have struggled through this qualifying campaign, while their opponents tonight have looked to kick on from a disappointing World Cup tournament in Brazil. Spain are the firm favourites, but the home outfit will be looking to play their part as a banana skin.
TEAM NEWS: There are two changes at the back four the home team, with Brdarovski coming into the side and Ristevski slipping into centre-back. Askovski, Hasani and Radeski come into the trio behind a lone striker. Ivanovski retains his place at the head of the attack, despite Macedonia drawing a blank against Luxembourg.
TEAM NEWS: David De Gea gets a start for La Roja, with Dani Carvajal and Juan Bernat featuring at full back. Isco comes into a midfield three alongside Busquets and Cazorla, with Juan Mata and David Silva given creative responsibility further forward. Diego Costa leads the line for Del Bosque, with plenty of quality in reserve on the bench for the visiting side.
HALF TIME! The visitors have the lead courtesy of a fortunate goal from Mata, with the former Real Madrid Castilla man scoring with a cross. Macedonia have defended fairly well, but De Gea has been untested in goal for La Roja. This contest isn't over yet, with both coaches having some interesting attacking options on the bench.
FULL TIME! Spain edge to a 1-0 win over Macedonia, which keeps them top of Group C for the time being! Mata's cross-cum-shot was the only thing that La Roja could muster up, with the hosts defending well for the 90 minutes. That's all that we have time for from Skopje, I've been Simon Harrison and I hope to see you again next time.
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