Vardar back to winning ways with 2-0 win over Shkendija Aracinovo

Vardar returned to winning ways on 19 September 2026, beating Shkendija Aracinovo 2-0 at the Petar Milosevski complex. The reigning domestic champions ended a run of dropped points after last round’s dramatic draw in Kumanovo against Bashkimi.

Second-half strikes decide the game

The match at Petar Milosevski was even in the first half, with chances for both sides but no goals. Fazlagic missed a one-on-one early on, while David Babunski forced a save by Aracinovo’s goalkeeper. Davor Taleski won a duel with Todorov, and both Mehmed and Goran Zakaric tried efforts from distance. Pires came close with a header.

Vardar took the lead shortly after half-time when a defensive error by Licina led to Boban Nikolov finding the net in the 47th minute. Nikolov’s finish came at a decisive moment and gave the hosts control of the match.

Shkendija attempted to change the game after going behind, shifting away from counter-attacks and pushing higher up the pitch. That opened spaces behind their defence, and in the 69th minute — from a sequence involving Omeragic and Spahiu — Goran Zakaric scored to make it 2-0.

The second goal effectively ended Shkendija’s chances of a comeback; Vardar protected the lead comfortably until the final whistle and collected three important points in the league standings.

Photo: press material from the event