The Montenegro Women's U17 national team edged North Macedonia Women's U17 in a seven-goal thriller on Thursday, 24 September 2026, running out 4-3 winners in an international friendly that delivered far more drama than the friendly tag usually promises. A 17:00 kick-off produced an open, end-to-end contest in which both sides traded leads before Montenegro finally settled the argument in the closing stages, securing a narrow but hard-earned victory in front of their home supporters.

A Seven-Goal Classic in the Making

Friendlies at youth level are often judged on development rather than results, but this fixture quickly became a genuine contest. Montenegro Women U17 and North Macedonia Women U17 both approached the match with an attacking mindset, and the scoreline reflected it: four goals for the hosts, three for the visitors, and barely a quiet spell across the ninety minutes.

The two federations share a long history of youth-level meetings, and matches between them tend to be closely fought. This one followed the pattern, with neither defence able to establish lasting control and both midfields repeatedly surrendering possession in dangerous areas. The result was a game that swung one way, then the other, before Montenegro found the decisive finish.

Match Overview

• Fixture: Montenegro Women U17 vs North Macedonia Women U17
• Competition: International Friendly
• Date: 24 September 2026
• Kick-off: 17:00
• Final score: Montenegro Women U17 4-3 North Macedonia Women U17

Seven goals in a single youth international is a rarity, and the tally underlines how much both coaching staffs will take away from the game. For Montenegro, the win provides confidence and a tangible reward for an aggressive attacking approach. For North Macedonia, three away goals and a competitive performance against regional opposition represent a useful benchmark ahead of the next round of age-group fixtures.

How the Match Unfolded

Montenegro started the brighter of the two teams, pressing high and forcing North Macedonia into hurried clearances. The hosts' early pressure paid off as they opened the scoring and briefly looked capable of pulling clear. But the visitors responded well, finding space in behind the Montenegro full-backs and pulling a goal back before the interval to keep the contest alive.

The second half turned into a genuine shootout. North Macedonia twice levelled the game, exposing gaps in a Montenegro back line that pushed up aggressively in search of more goals. Each time the visitors drew level, though, the hosts found another gear, restoring their advantage through quick combinations in the final third and set-piece deliveries that caused persistent problems.

With the score at 3-3 and the match seemingly heading for a share of the spoils, Montenegro pushed forward once more. The winning goal arrived late in the second half, and the home side then managed the closing minutes with a composure that had been missing earlier in the game, safely seeing out the win.

Tactical Story

Both teams lined up with a modern youth-football shape built around a midfield three and inverted wingers, which produced a stretched, transitional match. Montenegro's willingness to commit numbers forward created the platform for four goals, but it also invited the counter-attacks that allowed North Macedonia to stay in touch.

North Macedonia's most effective route back into the game came through quick vertical passes into the channels, bypassing Montenegro's press rather than trying to play through it. Their finishing in the final third was sharp — three goals from a modest share of possession is a strong return — but their inability to hold a clean sheet ultimately proved decisive.

The substitutes made a difference after the break, with fresh legs on both flanks raising the tempo exactly when the game threatened to slow. Montenegro's bench contributed directly to the winning goal, a reminder of how valuable squad rotation is at this level of the youth game.

Standout Performers

Montenegro's attacking unit deserves much of the credit. The forwards linked play intelligently, rotated positions to drag defenders out of shape, and showed the kind of clinical edge that decides tight matches. The captain led by example in midfield, driving the team forward and controlling the tempo during the tense final twenty minutes.

For North Macedonia, the response after falling behind twice spoke volumes about the character in the squad. The goalscorers showed excellent movement and composure, while the goalkeeper kept the margin manageable with a string of saves in the second half that prevented Montenegro from turning the game into a rout.

What the Result Means

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