Andorra vs England LIVE: World Cup qualifier result, final score and reaction tonight
World Cup qualifier latest score and live updates
A step closer to Qatar, without having to break into a sprint.
On an artificial pitch, England played out another win that could barely be called a real football match.
The only significance of this 5-0 win away to Andorra was the first international goals for Ben Chilwell and Jack Grealish, who will at least have something to remember from a match most people will immediately forget.
Perhaps the most accurate description of this game was that it was mostly a pleasant stroll through Pyrenean hills for the superb Phil Foden.
The playmaker both decorated the game and decided it, since it was his supreme passes that set up the first two goals that settled this game.
All female refereeing team
It’s a pretty momentous occasion as tonight’s game will be refereed by an all-female team.
Ukrainian Kateryna Monzul, becomes the first woman to referee an England men’s match and fellow Ukrainians Maryna Striletska and Svitlana Grushko are the assistant referees for the game.
The same female trio were in action a week ago for FC Copenhagen’s Europa Conference League victory over Lincoln Red Imps.
Born in Kharkiv, Monzul started officiating Ukrainian First League fixtures in 2011 and five years later broke new ground as the first female to referee a game in the Ukrainian Premier League.
"For us it is almost irrelevant, the quality of the official is important, not the gender," said Gareth Southgate. “We are looking forward to being a part of what is a special occasion."
Gareth Southgate: Players can be influenced by vaccine ‘conspiracy theories’
Playing for England comes with a great deal of public interest and footballers are often drawn into issues concerning wider society due to their fame. This week the topic of conversation concerns professional footballers getting the Covid-19 vaccine.
Gareth Southgate admits criticism of his public support for the Covid vaccination programme could make others think twice about discussing the issue – suggesting “conspiracy theories” could be preventing players from getting jabbed.
The England manager presented a video after Euro 2020 urging people to get vaccinated and was abused online as a result.
The uptake of the vaccine among professional footballers has been sporadic, with Southgate admitting he is unsure how many of his current England squad have received both doses.
Gareth Southgate: Players can be influenced by vaccine ‘conspiracy theories’
The England manager presented a video after Euro 2020 urging people to get vaccinated and was abused online as a result.
England prepare to face Andorra
England check out the artificial pitch at the Estadi Nacional. A victory tonight would put them another step closer to automatically qualifying for next year’s World Cup.
Kieran Trippier ‘speechless’ to captain England against Andorra
Kieran Trippier cannot wait to lead England out in front of fans for the first time, with the right-back grateful to Gareth Southgate for his continued support as he prepares to skipper the side against Andorra.
The 31-year-old has established himself as a key component of the Three Lions set-up since making his debut in a friendly against France in 2017.
Trippier shone in the run to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals and will win his 35th cap in Saturday’s World Cup qualifier in Andorra, where Southgate confirmed the Atletico Madrid right-back will wear the captain’s armband.
Kieran Trippier ‘speechless’ to captain England against Andorra
Trippier will win his 35th cap in Saturday’s World Cup qualifier in Andorra
Andorra’s artificial pitch
England face Andorra at the Estadi Nacional d’Andorra this evening where the playing surface is artificial turf. There are some concerns that synthetic surfaces cause more injuries at the top of the game but England boss Gareth Southgate has played down concerns.
"A lot of those interviews were from when Wales played here [in 2014] and it’s been re-laid," said Southgate.
"We’ve played on difficult grass pitches where teams have left the grass long. To have a surface where the ball can move quickly is good."
Group I standings
England are in a very strong position in Group I. They sit top of the table after six games with a four point lead over Albania in second.
To qualify at the top of the group they need three wins from their last four fixtures. As well as Andorra, they have consecutive home games against Hungary and Albania, the latter of which will be the most difficult test, before the end their qualifying campaign away at San Marino.
Based on England’s upcoming fixtures Gareth Southgate would happily take those odds.
Abraham recalled
Tammy Abraham has been recalled to the England starting XI after a successful start to the season for Roma.
Since his £34 million move in the summer Abraham has prospered under Jose Mourinho for the Italian side scoring four goals in 10 games with a further two assists.
He’s the in form striker for England and Southgate has rewarded his work with a recall tonight. Can he be the man to break down Andorra?
Southgate on England’s style of play
England boss, Gareth Southgate, is under no illusions as to what type of game tonight’s clash will be. He says his side are prepared to face a tightly packed defensive unit in Andorra and have to come up with ways to break them down.
On paper that shouldn’t be too difficult. Andorra are ranked 156th in the world and their only points in qualifying so far have come from a 2-0 victory over San Marino.
England beat Andorra 4-0 at Wembley in September, but three of those goals came in the final 20 minutes. Southgate said:
We know this is a specific challenge, breaking down a really packed defence, so we need the right types of players in the right positions,
"Always the first priority is the mentality of our own team - then how we break down the opponent. At Wembley the ball was only in play for 38 minutes. There were lots of stoppages, lots of injury breaks. We would like the ball in play for as long as we can.
"Then it’s up to our players to break down the well-organised defence. The tactical discipline to make the pitch as big as we can is very important in a game like this."
England’s clash with Andorra to go ahead despite fire at stadium
England’s World Cup qualifier in Andorra will go ahead despite a spectacular fire at the stadium on the eve of the game.
The Three Lions are in the Pyrenees to take on the side ranked 156th in the world and trained at the Estadi Nacional on Friday lunchtime, before Gareth Southgate and stand-in skipper Kieran Trippier faced the media.
Shortly after England left the 3,300-capacity stadium a fire broke out on the TV gantry, with black smoke filling the air as flames ripped through the structure in Andorra la Vella.
England’s clash with Andorra to go ahead despite fire at stadium
Shortly after England left the 3,300-capacity stadium a fire broke out on the TV gantry.
Andorra vs England - Team changes
John Stones is the only survivor of England’s last World Cup qualifier which saw them draw 1-1 against Poland after conceding a 92nd minute goal to Damian Syzmanski.
As was heavily rumoured Tammy Abraham starts up top due to his good form since joining Roma in the summer. Harry Kane is on the bench meaning Kieran Trippier leads the team and will start at his preferred right-back position.
In goal Sam Johnstone gets the nod ahead of Aaron Ramsdale and there are starts for Jadon Sancho and Phil Foden.
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