North Macedonia stunted last Thursday by eliminating European champions Italy in Palermo. The football dwarf won 1-0 with a goal in stoppage time. As a result, the Italians miss the World Cup for the second time in a row.
Prime Minister Dimitar Kovacevski had already gone to the Vatican last year and had asked the Pope to pray for the team. North Macedonia then took part in the European Football Championship for the first time. The team was in the group with the Dutch national team and lost the three matches. Orange won 3-0. Before the team left for Portugal last Sunday, the Prime Minister boarded the plane to wish the team good luck. He also promised the players the bonus of half a million euros.