Wales v North Macedonia result - Harry Wilson bags magical hat-trick as rampant Dragons keep World Cup hopes alive

Harry Wilson netted a memorable hat-trick as Wales turned on the style to demolish North Macedonia 7-1 in Cardiff, securing second spot in Group J of the World Cup qualifiers.

Wilson, captaining The Dragons in the absence of the suspended Ethan Ampadu, opened the scoring from the spot in the 19th minute before David Brooks nudged Wales two in front.

North Macedonia responded instantly to halve the deficit through Bojan Miovski, but it wasn't long before Brennan Johnson thumped in a long-range curler to regain Wales' two-goal cushion.

The hosts then went into overdrive in the second period, Daniel James converting after a cheeky Wilson backheel to make it 4-1, before Wilson scored a thumping free-kick for Wales' fifth.

Wilson completed his hat-trick with another penalty in the 82nd minute for 6-1 and Nathan Broadhead rubbed salt in North Macedonia's wounds with a late seventh.

All the pressure was on the hosts as Craig Bellamy's side had to beat their opponents to keep their realistic World Cup hopes alive. Boy oh boy, did they deliver.

Although a spot in the play-offs had already been secured by topping their Nations League group this time last year, Wales knew finishing second in Group J would avoid a play-off against a higher-seeded opponent.

Perhaps more importantly, Wales will have the home advantage in March following tonight's triumph. The draw for the World Cup play-off semi-finals takes place this Thursday.

While we've got you, it would be remiss not to remind you that Premier League football is back this weekend as the November international break, the last until March, comes to a close.

The first game of the weekend is brought to you live on TNT Sports and discovery+ as relegation battlers Burnley play host to Champions League hopefuls Chelsea.

Kick off is at 12:30 GMT, with all the build-up getting underway from 11am.

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Meanwhile, north of the border, Scotland have just booked their place at the World Cup in dramatic fashion.

Kieran Tierney's 93rd-minute curler and a remarkable 98th-minute Kenny McClean chip, from no fewer than 60 yards, sent Hampden Park wild, earning a 4-2 victory over Denmark and leapfrogging the Scandinavian nation to secure first place in Group C.

You can relieve the incredible action via our TNT Sports live blog.

Bring on the World Cup play-offs!

Wales will be back in Cardiff in March as tonight's rampant performance, spearheaded by captain Harry Wilson's hat-trick, earns The Dragons an all-important three points to clinch second place in Group J of the qualifiers.

Had Wales failed to beat North Macedonia, they would have finished third in the group and faced a trickier away tie against higher-seed opponents.

But thanks to Wilson's hat-trick and goals from David Brooks, Brennan Johnson, Daniel James and Nathan Broadhead, the route to North America is a little more favourable.

Just as you thought it couldn't get any better for Wales, Nathan Broadhead pokes in from close range to make it SEVEN.

Isaak Davies deserves plenty of credit for his header down into the ground from the corner. Broadhead provided the finishing touch.

On for the final five minutes or so, Cardiff's Isaac Davies replaces Liam Cullen to make his senior Wales debut.

Chris Mepham and Ronan Kpakio jog on in place of Joe Rodon and Neco Williams.

Wilson clinches the match ball with a clinical penalty. Was it ever in doubt?

What an incredible night this is for Wales, and for Wilson in particular.

It's a lovely penalty into the bottom left corner.

It might be about to get even better for The Dragons!

Wilson is upended by Atanasov and it's Wales' second spot-kick of the night.

What a strike! It's Captain Fantastic yet again and it's a free-kick straight out of the top drawer.

Wilson whips the ball over the wall and into the top right-hand corner, giving Dimitrievski no chance whatsoever.

That's stupendous. Wales have secured second place in Group J, no doubt.

Two North Macedonia defenders swing at Sorba Thomas' low cross, both deflecting the ball towards their goalkeeper.

It's awkward for Dimitrievski, though he's able to parry the ball away from danger.

Just 19 years of age, Cardiff defender Dylan Lawlor, playing in familiar surroundings, is having a superb night.

Lawlor has been pressed high by North Macedonia's forwards all evening and he's hardly looked fazed, often using quick thinking to escape and send his side away on the attack.

The teenager has completed 58 of his 62 pass attempts so far. He's also made six clearances.

Wales make their first two changes, while North Macedonia make two more of their own.

Brooks leaves the field with a huge smile and James follows him. Nathan Broadhead and Sorba Thomas are on in their places.

For North Macedonia, Elmin Rastoder and Jani Atanasov replace Bojan Miovski and Isnik Alimi.

That fourth goal was a brilliant example of Wales' fluidity in attack.

There was plenty of talk before the match about who would lead the line with no out-and-out centre-forward in the starting XI, but it's been a combination of all four attackers.

Although Wilson is perhaps playing the most central role, Brooks, Johnson and James have all occupied very advanced areas throughout. The link-up play between the quartet has been a joy to watch.

It's four! Daniel James is next to get in on the act as the Leeds United man converts first time following Harry Wilson's cheeky backheel.

That's got to be that, surely.

We have the first two changes of the night and they are both for North Macedonia.

Defender Andrej Stojchevski and midfielder Tihomir Kostadinov are replaced by Lirim Qamili and Darko Churlinov.

Neco Williams and Josh Sheehan perform defensive heroics, sending Wales away on the counter-attack.

Second goalscorer Brooks is the man with the chance as he cuts in from the right, though his powerful strike is tipped over the crossbar.

It's a teasing delivery from the right but Swansea City star Liam Cullen fails to connect.

Had Cullen made any contact on that, it probably would've been 4-1.

Brooks is nudged onto the ground just inside the North Macedonia box but the referee waves away the appeals. There wasn't much in that, in fairness.

The second half begins and there are no changes for either side.