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 1-0 England
45 mins: Four minutes of added time to play at the end of the first half. Rico Lewis spies a gap in the North Macedonian defence and takes a shot from just outside the box.
He hits it sweetly but can’t beat the goalkeeper with his low effort.
GOAL! North Macedonia 1-0 England (Bardhi, 41’)⚽️
41 mins: Enis Bardhi takes the penalty kick and pings it to Jordan Pickford’s left.
The goalkeeper moves the correct way and palms the ball away but Bardhi is first to the rebound and he belts it past Pickford who’s left sprawled on the floor.
England need to come from behind in Skopje.
Penalty to North Macedonia!
North Macedonia 0-0 England
39 mins: Wow. The hosts dink the ball into England’s penalty area. Rico Lewis leaps into the air to clear the danger and nods the ball away.
As he jumps Bojan Miovski arrives behind him and runs into Lewis’ left-hand which swings down as the teenager makes his jump. There’s contact to the forward’s face which VAR believes is enough to send the referee to the monitor.
He takes a long look at the replays then points to the spot.
North Macedonia 0-0 England
36 mins: Almost great! The ball is bouncing around the middle of the pitch as Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jack Grealish nod the ball up towards the box.
Ollie Watkins nudges the nearest defender, spins away from him as he goes to ground then collects the ball and drills a shot at goal. Stole Dimitrievski palms it away but the referee pulls the play back after the foul by Watkins.
North Macedonia 0-0 England
33 mins: Atanasov arrives late for a challenge on Lewis who drifts into a central midfield spot. The teenager is brought down and wins England a free kick in a dangerous area.
The Three Lions decide not to send the ball into the box and instead work it across to Jack Grealish who wins a corner from the left wing.
North Macedonia 0-0 England
30 mins: Close! Rico Lewis piles up the pitch to take part in England’s attack but is forced to track back into midfield as North Macedonia threaten to break up the pitch.
Harry Maguire is the lone defender and nods the clearance into the middle of the pitch where Lewis shields the ball and manages to offload it.
England move it quickly across to Phil Foden on the inside left and he threads a fine pass into the penalty area but Ollie Watkins can’t reach the ball with his lunge.
North Macedonia 0-0 England
27 mins: The home side are starting to get themselves into the game. They win a free kick over to the left of England’s penalty area and have the chance to flood the box with players.
Enis Bardhi fizzes the set piece over the six yard box but it drops safely and England work the ball away.
North Macedonia 0-0 England
24 mins: Oh my, Harry Maguire is a lucky boy.
First he gives the ball away deep in his own half and then has to back track as North Macedonia get Eljif Elmas into the box. He brings it in from the right and looks to create an angle to shoot.
Maguire thinks about making a tackle, half-lunges for the ball then pulls his leg back. He trips on the ground, knocks into the striker and brings him down too.
The hosts are screaming for a penalty but the referee waves for a goalkick as the ball heads out of play.
North Macedonia 0-0 England
21 mins: Ezgjan Alioski catches Bukayo Saka’s heel as the winger run past him with the ball. England take the free kick quickly and work it across the defence.
The Three Lions send the ball down the line to Jack Grealish who is fouled by another quickly closed down but mistimed challenge.
North Macedonia 0-0 England
18 mins: Saka draws a foul with his quick footwork and gives England a chance to swing in a set piece. Trent Alexander-Arnold whips the set piece into the middle of the box and puts it into a dangerous area.
There’s a coming together in the box but the whistle goes as Harry Maguire is flagged offside.
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