When Wales plays at Cardiff City Stadium under the floodlights, there is a unique energy that lifts both players and fans. From the a cappella rendition of the national anthem to the supporters’ passionate songs, the atmosphere has a way of pushing players to exceptional performances.
Wales will need this special spirit when they host North Macedonia on Tuesday. A victory is essential for finishing second in their World Cup qualifying group, which would secure home advantage for the playoff semi-final in March. A loss would mean an away tie against stronger teams, such as Italy, making the stakes extremely high.
Head coach Craig Bellamy emphasized the importance of the fans’ support. “Players have been in this situation so many times over the last 10 years, especially Cardiff nights,” he said. “The crowd is used to this environment and these moments.”
He added that patience will be necessary alongside fan encouragement. “We know we need to win, of course, but we have to be patient as well. Fans recognize when we need you the most, but I’m also fully conscious we have to give you something to cheer as well.”
This match presents an opportunity for the current Wales squad to add another memorable Cardiff night to the club’s history.
Historic Cardiff victories
Hungary 2019
The current squad has no members from the Euro 2016 semi-final team, with Ben Davies, Aaron Ramsey, and Danny Ward absent due to injury. Still, some of the present players were involved in the decisive Euro 2020 qualifiers.
Wales started the campaign poorly, taking only three points from their first three games under Ryan Giggs. Momentum shifted in November 2019 when Aaron Ramsey returned from injury.
Ramsey played a crucial role, scoring both goals in a 2-0 win against Hungary, securing automatic qualification. The celebrations at Cardiff City Stadium were emotional, moving Giggs to tears.
Belgium 2021
Tuesday’s fixture has parallels with Wales’ home match against Belgium in November 2021. Having missed automatic qualification, Wales needed a result to secure second place in their group.
Despite conceding first through Kevin de Bruyne, Kieffer Moore equalized, sparking jubilant scenes in Cardiff. A 1-1 draw, combined with favorable results elsewhere, ensured Wales would host their playoff semi-final, a factor that would prove decisive.
Austria 2022
The play-off semi-final against Austria in March 2022 remains one of the most iconic nights in Welsh football history. Dafydd Iwan performed his song Yma O Hyd before kickoff, with over 30,000 fans joining in, including many who did not speak Welsh.
Gareth Bale scored twice, delivering a 2-1 victory that sent Wales to the play-off final against Ukraine. Bale scored again in the final, clinching a 1-0 win that brought Wales back to the World Cup for the first time in 64 years.
Croatia 2023
By October 2023, Wales faced a critical Euro 2024 qualifying match against Croatia after poor summer results. Manager Rob Page’s position was under pressure, but Wales produced one of their best performances, beating the World Cup semi-finalists 2-1 at Cardiff.
Harry Wilson scored both goals in his 50th international appearance. Subsequent draws against Armenia and Turkey meant Wales went into the play-offs again, achieving home semi-final advantage but eventually losing on penalties in the final against Poland.
Iceland 2024
Craig Bellamy began his tenure as Wales manager with nine unbeaten matches, highlighted by the Nations League campaign. The team secured promotion to the top tier thanks to a 4-1 win over Iceland in November 2024.
Wales recovered from an early deficit with goals from Liam Cullen, Brennan Johnson, and Harry Wilson. Fans created a celebratory atmosphere at Cardiff, cheering both Wales and Montenegro, who benefited from the match results.
Bellamy is seeking his first major statement win as head coach. A victory against North Macedonia would mark the first of several important wins on the road to next year’s World Cup and could set the stage for more unforgettable Cardiff nights.