North Macedonia vs England LIVE: Euro 2024 qualifier result and reaction as Three Lions held to draw
North Macedonia 1-1 England: The Three Lions end their qualifying campaign unbeaten
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Your support makes all the difference.England were held to a drew in their final Euro 2024 qualifying fixture after another sluggish performance against North Macedonia. It was a frustrating night for the Three Lions who desperately hoped for an improved performance after they edged past Malta 2-0 on Friday.
They started well enough and had a bit of zip and tempo back in their passing which was evidently missing last week. Declan Rice hit the woodwork after just 15 minutes but the hosts grew in confidence. Rico Lewis, making his debut for the senior team, was a bright spark but a stray hand when clearing an aerial ball out of his own box forced a VAR check and North Macedonia won a penalty - Enis Bardhi slotting it past Jordan Pickford on the rebound after the goalkeeper initially saved it.
England went into the break behind but came out strongly once again. Jack Grealish thought he had an equaliser only for it to be ruled out for offside. Harry Kane’s introduction into proceedings resulted in an own goal going against the hosts but the Three Lions were unable to press their advantage and claim the win.
Relive the action from this Euro 2024 qualifier below:
North Macedonia 0-0 England
15 mins: Woodwork!
Declan Rice receives the ball on the edge of the box. He drills a low, straight effort towards the back corner and beats the North Macedonian goalkeeper.
For a moment Rice thinks he’s scored but the ball hits the upright and bounces back into play where it’s booted away.
North Macedonia 0-0 England
14 mins: England slow the build-up right down as the ball goes back to Harry Maguire who’s looking for a cutting pass. He sends it over to Declan Rice who floats a lovely ball over the top as Ollie Watkins makes his run in behind.
The forward brings the ball down then pokes it to Bukayo Saka.
Saka dances inside moving past a bunch of defenders before unleashing a shot with his left-foot. It’s a typical move from the Arsenal man but his effort is blocked on the edge of the box.
North Macedonia 0-0 England
12 mins: Jack Grealish tries to play a one-two with Phil Foden on the front edge of the box but its blocked off and cleaned out by Jovan Manev.
The referee seemingly misses the incident as nothing comes from it other than a drop ball for the hosts. Grealish isn’t too happy about it though.
North Macedonia 0-0 England
9 mins: The hosts are finding it tricky to get themselves on the ball. Rico Lewis is stepping into midfield allowing England to have an extra body for closing the ball down quickly.
Enis Bardhi pumps a long pass up the pitch in a hopeful punt to find Eljif Elmas. It’s too pacey for the forward to get to and Jordan Pickford scoops it up without too much trouble.
North Macedonia 0-0 England
6 mins: Jani Atanasov leaves a bit too much on Jack Grealish who is trying to weave his way out of danger in England’s final third. The Man City man wins England a free kick and relieves the pressure on the defence.
North Macedonia played well against Italy last time out and they won’t hold back from taking the game to England here.
North Macedonia 0-0 England
3 mins: Close! There’s already more of a zip to England’s play in comparison to the match against Malta. They bring the ball down the right side through Bukayo Saka who sends it across the middle.
Declan Rice and Jack Grealish combine for a lovely one-two on the opposite side of the box with Grealish making the run in behind. He looks for a short pass to Ollie Watkins who tries to turn it home at the near post but his touch it deflected out for a corner.
Kick off! North Macedonia 0-0 England
England get the ball rolling against North Macedoina. This is the first of three matches for the Three Lions before the squad is named for Euro 2024.
Who will impress Gareth Southgate tonight?
North Macedonia vs England
Harry Kane has either scored or assisted a goal in each of his last 11 appearances for England in all competitions (11 goals, 3 assists).
With two goals in this game, he would be the first ever European player to score 10-plus goals in three consecutive qualifying campaigns, having netted 12 in qualifying for both Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup.
North Macedonia vs England
Bukayo Saka has been involved in 10 goals in his last 11 competitive games for England (7 goals, 3 assists), setting up Harry Kane’s strike against Malta last time out.
He also scored a hat-trick in the Three Lions’ home fixture against North Macedonia in June.
North Macedonia vs England
England striker Ollie Watkins speaking on Channel Four: “Obviously goals is the main thing [that will help me get selected for the Euros]. As a striker I need to score goals.
“But also bringing a different dynamic to the team, stretching defences, bringing a different energy.
“You’re going to get games like that. Malta made it difficult and we still came away with the win. Hopefully we’ll see a lot more fluid a performance with a lot of goals and we’ll bring some energy and excitement tonight.”
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