TETOVO, North Macedonia (Interstat) — Shkendija opened its First League season with a 2-1 victory over Pelister on Monday, overcoming an early deficit with two goals from veteran forward Besart Ibraimi at Ecolog Arena.

The visiting side, Pelister, stunned the home supporters in the seventh minute when Stefan Spirovski found the net, giving his team an early advantage. The goal marked a strong start for the visitors, who were looking to defy pregame projections.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a high-scoring affair, forecasting a 4-3 win for Shkendija, while its ELO rating system gave the hosts a 75.80 percent probability of victory. Pelister’s early strike temporarily challenged those expectations.

Shkendija’s response was swift. Just 14 minutes after falling behind, the home side drew level. Ibraimi, a seasoned campaigner for the club, scored his first goal of the match in the 21st minute to equalize and shift the momentum.

The game settled into a prolonged period of midfield contention until Ibraimi struck again in the 64th minute. The decisive goal completed his brace and put Shkendija ahead for the first time in the match. Pelister was unable to mount a second comeback, and the hosts saw out the remaining minutes to secure the three points.

The result gives Shkendija a winning start to the North Macedonian First League campaign, its record now at one win and no losses in the competition. The club also maintains a perfect record across all competitions this season.

For Pelister, the narrow defeat represents a missed opportunity after a promising start. The team begins its league season with a record of no wins and one loss, a mark that also reflects its overall record in all tournaments.

The match, played on March 2, 2026, showcased Shkendija’s resilience and firepower, particularly through Ibraimi, who ensured his team lived up to its favored status despite a challenging opening. Pelister will rue its inability to hold onto its early lead as it searches for its first positive result of the young season.