Harry Wilson's hat trick powers Wales to 7-1 rout of North Macedonia, secures home playoff semifinal

When Harry Wilson stepped onto the pitch at Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday night, he wasn’t just playing for Wales — he was captaining it for the first time. By the final whistle, he’d done more than lead. He’d delivered a performance for the ages: a hat trick in a 7-1 demolition of North Macedonia that sent Wales into the 2026 FIFA World Cup playoffs with home advantage locked in. The final scoreline — Wales’ biggest goalscoring haul since 1978 — wasn’t just a result. It was a statement.

A Night That Broke Decades of Doubt

It wasn’t just the goals. It was the rhythm. The confidence. The way Wales played like a team that finally believed it belonged among Europe’s elite. The match, played under a packed Cardiff roof on November 18, 2025, started with nervous energy — but only for a few minutes. Brennan Johnson set the tone with a blistering run down the left, and by the 18th minute, Harry Wilson had buried a penalty after a foul on David Brooks. The crowd roared. The pressure lifted. And then, just three minutes later, Brooks pounced on a cutback to make it 2-0.

North Macedonia responded quickly. Bojan Miovski, their clinical striker, pounced on a rare slip by goalkeeper Karl Darlow to pull one back. But the moment felt like a fluke, not a revival. The Welsh response was immediate. Johnson, the engine of this team, unleashed a curling right-footed rocket from 18 yards in the 37th minute — a goal that silenced every doubter who thought this Welsh side lacked firepower.

Wilson’s Moment, and the Floodgates Open

The second half was pure Welsh domination. Daniel James added a fourth with a darting run and low finish at 57 minutes. Then came Wilson’s masterpiece. A free-kick from just outside the box, curled like a violin note — 75th minute. The stadium shook. Then, eight minutes later, another penalty. This time, no hesitation. Wilson buried it. Hat trick. Captain’s night. History.

Substitute Nathan Broadhead, a 26-year-old from Ipswich Town, sealed the rout with a simple tap-in at 88 minutes. Seven goals. Zero mercy. This wasn’t just about qualification — it was about identity. For years, Wales rode on the coattails of Gareth Bale. Now, a new generation — younger, faster, hungrier — had taken over. And they didn’t just want to qualify. They wanted to terrify.

What This Means for the Playoffs

Before kickoff, Wales sat second in Group J with 16 points, one behind Belgium. A win meant home advantage in the playoff semifinal. A draw or loss? They’d have to travel, likely to a hostile European stadium. The stakes couldn’t have been higher. The final Group J standings confirmed it: Belgium finished top with 18 points, Wales second with 16, and North Macedonia third with 13 — their previously unblemished away record since June 2024 obliterated.

Manager Craig Bellamy, who took over after a turbulent period, has turned this team around. From defensive fragility to attacking fluency, his changes — including the promotion of young talents like Johnson and Broadhead — have paid off. The Football Association of Wales called it “a historic night in Cardiff.” They weren’t exaggerating.

North Macedonia’s Dream Derailed

For North Macedonia, it was a brutal end to a campaign that had shown promise. Coach Igor Angelovski had built a resilient side — unbeaten on the road for over a year. But in Cardiff, they were outclassed in every phase. Their midfield was overrun. Their defense was shredded. And Miovski’s goal, while heroic, felt like a consolation prize. Now, they face a tougher path: a playoff semifinal away from home, likely against a team with more firepower than Wales.

Their journey isn’t over — but it’s far harder now. And Wales? They’re not just in. They’re dangerous.

What’s Next?

The playoff draw happens on Thursday, November 20, 2025. Wales, as Group J runners-up, will be seeded in Pot 2 and guaranteed a home tie. They could face the winner of the Norway vs. Finland or Ukraine vs. Cyprus clash — all manageable, but all winnable. The real test? The final. If Wales can get past their semifinal, they’ll play for a spot in the World Cup — and this team, playing with this kind of swagger, looks ready.

For Harry Wilson, 53 caps in, this was his coming-out party. No longer the reliable midfielder. Now, the leader. The scorer. The man who carried the weight of a nation on his shoulders — and lifted it.