SKOPJE, North Macedonia (Interstat) — Vardar delivered a stunningly dominant performance Sunday, routing city rivals Shkupi 6-1 in a First League match that was decided by a devastating first-half offensive outburst.

The match at Trening Centar Petar Miloševski turned into a showcase for Vardar’s attacking power, which overwhelmed a Shkupi defense that has struggled throughout the season. The result defied the pregame projection from Interstat, whose game simulator had forecast a 1-1 draw, though its ELO system gave Vardar a 94.70 percent probability to win.

The game’s complexion changed entirely in a dizzying two-minute span late in the first half. After a tense opening half-hour, Goran Zakarić broke the deadlock in the 36th minute. He then doubled his tally and Vardar’s lead just one minute later, sending the home side into a commanding position before halftime.

Any hope of a Shkupi comeback was extinguished shortly before the break when Mihail Talevski found the net in the 47th minute, making it 3-0 and capping a decisive 11-minute, three-goal blitz.

Vardar continued its relentless pressure after the restart. Azer Omeragikj opened his account for the day in the 54th minute, pushing the lead to 4-0. Mario Stankovski added a fifth goal in the 71st minute before Omeragikj completed his hat trick with goals in the 79th and 84th minutes, sealing the emphatic victory.

The lopsided win solidifies Vardar’s strong standing in the North Macedonian First League. The club now holds a record of 11 wins, one loss and two draws in domestic league play. Across all competitions this season, Vardar has been nearly as impressive, registering 15 wins against three losses and three draws.

For Shkupi, the defeat marks another low point in a dismal league campaign. The team remains winless in the First League this season, with a record of zero wins, 13 losses and one draw. Their overall record across all competitions is only marginally better, at four wins, 14 losses and one draw. The loss extends a brutal stretch of form for Shkupi, who have been outscored 15-1 in their last three league matches, including a 3-0 defeat to Pelister on Nov. 25 and a 2-1 loss to Shkendija on Nov. 15.

The result also continues a pattern of one-sided affairs in the recent history between the two Skopje-based clubs. In their previous meeting on Aug. 29, Vardar also came out on top, winning 4-2.

Vardar will look to maintain its momentum when it faces KF Arsimi-1973 Chegrane in its next First League fixture on Dec. 7. Shkupi, seeking to find any positive momentum, is scheduled to play AP Brera Strumica, also on Dec. 7. Before that, Shkupi has a Macedonian Cup match scheduled against Belasica later on Sunday.