In a tightly contested match in the North Macedonia First Football League, KF Arsimi earned a hard-fought 1-0 victory over league leaders FC Struga on 23 May 2026. The match, staged at the Arsimi Stadium in the small town of Jegunovce, saw the home side produce a disciplined defensive performance and capitalise on an early chance.

Match Summary

The only goal of the game came in the 14th minute when KF Arsimi striker Besnik Azizi latched onto a through ball and slotted past the Struga goalkeeper. FC Struga dominated possession for the remaining 76 minutes but struggled to break down a well-organised home defence. Arsimi goalkeeper Ilirjan Shehu made several important saves, while Struga had a goal disallowed for offside in the second half.

Key Moments

• 14' – 1-0: Azizi timed his run perfectly to meet a ball over the top and finished with composure.
• 55' – Disallowed goal: Struga thought they had equalised, but the referee ruled the goal out for an offside in the build-up.
• 71' – Shehu save: The home goalkeeper made a brilliant one-handed stop to deny a powerful header from Struga's captain.
• 89' – Last-ditch block: A goalmouth scramble saw two Struga shots blocked on the line by Arsimi defenders.

Tactical Analysis

KF Arsimi set up in a compact 5-4-1 formation, prioritising defensive solidity and counter-attacks. FC Struga, known for their possession-based 4-3-3, controlled the ball but lacked width against Arsimi’s deep defensive block. The home side’s central midfield trio of Ardian Maksuti, Shpend Lika and Bajram Selimi worked tirelessly to close down space. Struga’s frustration grew as they resorted to long-range shots which rarely troubled Shehu.

Standout Players

• Besnik Azizi (KF Arsimi): Scored the winner and worked hard defensively.
• Ilirjan Shehu (KF Arsimi): Made several crucial saves to preserve the clean sheet.
• Florian Ismaili (FC Struga): The visitors’ most creative player, but his efforts were in vain.

League Impact

The result shakes up the North Macedonia First Football League title race. FC Struga, who came into the match as league leaders, remain top but see their lead cut to just two points after this defeat. KF Arsimi leapfrog two teams to move into fifth place, keeping their European qualification hopes alive. For Struga, the loss serves as a reminder of the competitiveness of the league.