EURO 2018 QUALIFYING GROUP G
MACEDONIA 1 ISRAEL 2
David Goresh was the hero as Israel survived late penalty drama to get their qualifying campaign up and running after a hard-fought win in Macedonia.
First-half strikes from Brighton striker Tomer Hemed and Tal Ben Chaim had put the visitors in charge, but a 63rd goal from Ilija Nestorovski hauled Macedonia back into the match in Skopje.
Hemed powered home a close-range header before Ben Chaim showed great composure to fire home from an angle inside the area.
The hosts finished the game strongly and their chances were boosted as Israel finished with 10 men after Eytan Tibi received his second yellow card four minutes into injury time.
But goalkeeper Goresh ensured Israel ended a run of five defeats by diving low to his right to keep out a penalty from
substitute Adis Jahović.
Albania finished the night on top of Group G after maintaining their 100 per cent record, while former World Cup winners Spain and Italy shared the points after a 1-1 draw.
Israel host Liechtenstein in their third qualifier on Sunday night.
GROUP G STANDINGS
1.Albania Pl. 2, W. 2, Pts. 6
2.Spain Pl. 2, W. 1, Pts. 4
3.Italy Pl. 2, W. 1, Pts. 4
4.Israel Pl. 2, W. 1, Pts 3
5.FYR Macedonia Pl. 2, W. 0, Pts 0
6.Liechtenstein Pl. 2, W. 0, Pts. 0