Elmin Rastoder had another chance for North Macedonia with a close-range header from the right side, very close to the right post, but it went slightly wide. The home side are very much on top in the final minutes of the game.
North Macedonia is not playing well, and Latvia continues to dominate possession. This dominance is not what was expected in the preview of the match. Local fans are constantly cheering on their team, who want victory in this international friendly.
North Macedonia launches another attack from the back, but ultimately fails to convert. Latvia then has a chance on the home team’s goal, but the defenders clear the ball. The match is tied in the first half.
North Macedonia is struggling and is unable to complete three passes before losing the ball or kicking it out of bounds. They don’t have a clear game plan and will find it very difficult to make an impact in this match against a Latvian side that presses high up the pitch.
Darko Churlinov took a good shot from mid-range, powerfully striking the ball with his right foot and sending it over the crossbar defended by the visiting goalkeeper. It was an important opportunity for North Macedonia in the first half.
There have been no goals in the match so far. The game has been quite disjointed between both teams, with no flow to the play and no scoring opportunities for either side, so the excitement has yet to reach the stadium.
The match has been uneventful so far and is currently slow-paced. Neither North Macedonia nor Latvia have managed to create any dangerous chances, and there have been no shots on goal. Both teams are sizing each other up in the final minutes of the game.
North Macedonia is not playing well, and Latvia continues to dominate possession. This dominance is not what was expected in the preview of the match. Local fans are constantly cheering on their team, who want victory in this international friendly.
Latvia goes on the attack with Lukass Vapne, who shoots from distance and the ball grazes the post. As expected, the visitors control the game in the early stages, constantly looking to score the first goal early on.
The game has been quite disjointed between both teams, with no flow to the play and neither side creating any chances to score, so there has been little excitement in the stadium so far. No goals at the start of the match.
North Macedonia vs Latvia will be much more than just a friendly match. It is a test of character and planning, where home advantage, atmosphere, and individual quality seem to favor the Macedonians, but the Balts promise to put up a fight with their discipline and resilience. A friendly match with an air of reconstruction and ambition, ideal for closing the year with an eye on the future.
Although this is a friendly match, it has significant implications: both coaches need results and confidence to sustain their projects. Macedonia is looking to recapture the spark that led it to surprise Europe a few years ago, while Latvia aspires to shed its image as a minor team and build a solid foundation to compete in the next edition of the UEFA Nations League in 2026.
In terms of the history between the two teams, North Macedonia and Latvia have faced each other four times in official matches, with the Macedonians dominating completely: four wins, including the most recent encounter in the 2022 Nations League, where Macedonia won 2-0 with goals from Elmas and Trajkovski. In terms of style, the home side tends to dictate the pace and possession, while the Balts opt to wait and counterattack.
The Toše Proeski Arena, with a capacity for around 33,000 people, will be the ideal setting for a match that promises a great atmosphere. The Macedonian fans, always passionate and noisy, will support their team in what will be their last appearance of the year in front of their home crowd. The federation has prepared the match as a celebration of national soccer, with pre-match activities and tributes to historical figures from the country.
Kazakevičs usually employs a 5-3-2 formation that prioritizes defensive solidity and quick breaks down the wings. Against North Macedonia, Latvia is expected to adopt a conservative approach, seeking to maintain order in midfield and take advantage of any spaces left by their opponents. This friendly will also allow the Latvian coach to evaluate several players from the local league and gauge their ability against a more technically skilled opponent.
Latvia, meanwhile, arrives in Skopje with the intention of demonstrating that its rebuilding process is beginning to bear fruit. Under the leadership of coach Dainis Kazakevičs, the Latvians have opted for a generational renewal that seeks to leave behind years of modest performances in Europe. The Baltic team has improved its competitiveness, showing itself to be a well-organized and disciplined unit, although it still struggles to convert its chances in attack. Players such as Roberts Uldriķis, a forward for Dutch side Heerenveen, and captain Janis Ikaunieks are the main offensive threats, while young goalkeeper Pāvels Šteinbors has been a reliable presence between the posts.
Milevski plans to use a 4-2-3-1 system, with an emphasis on high pressure and quick ball circulation. The experienced Stefan Ristovski will lead the defense, while Aleksandar Trajkovski, hero of the Euro 2020 qualifiers, could return to the starting lineup to bring experience to the attack. The coaching staff’s idea is to find greater cohesion in midfield and effectiveness in front of goal, two aspects that cost them dearly in their last games of 2025, including defeats to Slovenia and Croatia in the qualifiers.
North Macedonia, led by Blagoja Milevski, is undergoing a period of redefinition after a historic run in which it qualified for the European Championship for the first time (in 2021) and scored memorable victories against powerhouses such as Germany and Italy in previous qualifiers. However, in 2025, the Balkan team has had its ups and downs: it has achieved good results at home, but has struggled to maintain consistency away from Skopje. This friendly will be key to testing new offensive formulas and consolidating some young players who are gaining ground, such as Jani Atanasov, David Babunski, and Eljif Elmas, the latter a star player for Italian club Napoli and the team’s main creative force.
On November 13, 2025, European national team soccer will feature an interesting match between two teams that continue to fight for recognition on the continental stage. North Macedonia and Latvia will face each other in an international friendly match to be played at the Toše Proeski Arena in Skopje, the Macedonian capital, in a clash that will serve as a test before the resumption of the Euro 2028 qualifiers. Although there are no points at stake, the match promises to be intense, as both teams need to strengthen their identity and try out new variations after an uneven year in terms of results and performance.
In a few moments, we will share the starting lineups for the North Macedonia vs. Latvia match live, as well as the latest information from the stadium. Don’t miss a single detail of the North Macedonia vs. Latvia match live with commentary from VAVEL.
A friendly match between national teams is a game that, although it does not determine titles or official points, plays a very important role in soccer. It mainly serves to allow coaches to prepare their teams for more demanding tournaments, testing new tactics, game plans, and lineups. It is also the perfect opportunity to give playing time to young or newly called-up players, evaluate their performance, and see how they adapt to the group.
These matches help players, who normally play for different clubs and in different leagues, get used to sharing the pitch and strengthen cohesion within the national team. They also allow players returning from injury to regain their competitive rhythm in a less pressured environment than an official competition.
Beyond the sporting aspect, friendly matches also have strategic value: they influence FIFA rankings, which can be decisive in future international draws. And, of course, they play a social and economic role, as they are often played in different countries to bring the national team closer to its fans and generate revenue from ticket sales, television rights, and sponsors.
