ENGLAND have gone unbeaten in their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign after drawing 1-1 away at North Macedonia in their final Group C match.
The hosts took a shock lead in the first half as Enis Bardhi slammed home the rebound after his controversial penalty was saved by Jordan Pickford.
Seconds after Harry Kane was introduced in the second half, the England skipper challenged Jani Atanasov during a Three Lions corner, which resulted in the Macedonian midfielder putting the ball in his own net.
Attention now turns to the highly anticipated Euro 2024 draw on December 2nd.
- Match result: North Macedonia 1-1 England
- FREE live stream: All 4
- North Macedonia team: Dimitrievski, Manev, Serafimov, Musliu, Dimoski, Bardhi, Atanasov, Alimi, Alioski, Miovski, Elmas
- England team: Pickford; Walker, Guehi, Maguire, Lewis; Rice, Alexander-Arnold, Foden; Saka, Watkins, Grealish
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The Uefa Euro 2024 final tournament draw takes place on December 2.
Kane on debutant Lewis
Harry Kane was also left impressed by England debutant Rico Lewis.
I thought he was really good with and without the ball.
A shame for the penalty but he can be proud, I thought he was fantastic.
He just needs to keep working hard and I’m sure he will be back with us.
Harry Kane
Kane ‘proud’ of qualifying campaign
Despite lacklustre results against Malta and now North Macedonia, Harry Kane has insisted that he is “proud” of England’s unbeaten qualifying campaign.
Difficult game, we knew it would be and it was tough against a decent side playing on a pitch that’s difficult to play our style of football.
We went 1-0 behind against the run of play with a soft penalty. It was good to get on the pitch, I’m always trying to help the team whether it is 90 minutes or 10 minutes. It was important for us to get a goal back and a shame we couldn’t get a second.
I think it was an own goal, pretty sure. If anyone was going to get a second it was us.
Against Malta we were sloppy on the ball, today we got a bit of a sucker-punch with the counter-attack and a soft penalty. We were playing against a team that people expected us to beat five or six nil, but they did a job on Italy in the World Cup qualifiers to knock them out.
We can be really proud of how the qualifying campaign has gone.
Harry Kane
‘A great birthday present’ – Lewis
Rico Lewis was left smiling after making his England debut just hours before his 19th birthday.
He told Channel 4: “Overall I am very happy. The result was unfortunate and the decision that went against me.
“I am so happy to have made my debut before my birthday it is a lovely present.”
Walker on result
Kyle Walker has claimed that Rico Lewis was on the end of an “unfair” decision.
He told Channel 4: “It was always going to be tough to come here.
“We dug in and we got a point. We wanted three but things happen in football that I don’t think are fair.
“I think Rico got an unfair decision tonight.”
‘Lack of options for Southgate’ – Upson
Matthew Upson has claimed that Gareth Southgate was left with little option but to bring on Harry Kane against North Macedonia.
He told BBC Radio 5 Live: “Gareth Southgate would have been looking at the game at one nil down and thinking ‘I don’t want a loss on our qualifying record’, certainly not in this game.
“The one obvious switch is Harry Kane. Can you bring him on in another role to accomodate others such as Ollie Watkins for him to have more game time?
“Well then you would be watering down the effectiveness of the best striker in the world.
“I don’t think he had much of an option.”
Credit: Reuters More reaction to the penalty call
Former England players commented on the controversial decision.
Chelsea legend John Terry wrote: “Oh my word… How is that a penalty?”
England icon Gary Lineker said: “It’s not important in the slightest, but that’s the most ridiculous penalty decision.”
While ex-Liverpool star Jamie Carragher said: “Bizarre these VAR penalties that get given in Europe. What’s more bizarre is they didn’t give the one against Maguire 😂.”
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Harry Kane scored the highest marks thanks to his instant impact in the match.
However, Ollie Watkins was the lowest scorer as he struggled to flourish.
Elsewhere in Group C
Italy have qualified for Euro 2024 thanks to their record against Ukraine.
The holders could only manage a 0-0 draw against Ukraine but it is enough to get them on the plane to Germany.
FT – North Macedonia 1 England 1
Indeed it was as the referee blows for full time.
Another uninspiring performance from England, but they made sure to finish as top seeds for the draw for Euro 2024 and unbeaten in qualifying.
North Macedonia 1 England 1
95. Chance for Kane, but he can not get any accuracy on his header as it goes for a goal kick.
Probably the last chance in the match.
North Macedonia 1 England 1
93. England hurrying North Macedonia along as they try to get the ball back and find the winner.
North Macedonia 1 England 1
90. Marcus Rashford flashes a free-kick wide. Looked better before the replays.
North Macedonia 1 England 1
90. There will be six added minutes, can England find a winner?
North Macedonia 1 England 1
85. Awkward moment for Pickford as Maguire’s backpass has plenty on it.
The goalkeeper is able to boot it clear, just about.
North Macedonia 1 England 1
83. Triple change for England, Phillips, Palmer and Rashford are on.
Grealish, Saka and Alexander-Arnold are off.
North Macedonia 1 England 1
81. England have a free kick in the attacking half after Grealish was fouled.
Maguire gets on the cross from Foden and heads goalwards, but the whistle is blown for a push.
North Macedonia 1 England 1
77. England struggling to break down the hosts at the moment.
The frustration almost cost the Three Lions as Guehi tried forcing a ball only for it to get intercepted.
North Macedonia 1 England 1
70. 20 minutes to go and England are looking more likely to get a winner.
North Macedonia 1 England 1
68. Confirmation has come through that the goal has been credited as an own goal by Atanasov.
North Macedonia 1 England 1
66. The hosts are not done yet as they are still looking to hurt England on the break.
So far Southgate’s men have dealt with them, but they can’t switch off if they want to maintain an unbeaten 2023.
North Macedonia 1 England 1
61. Bit of handbags between Grealish and Elmas after the Englishman was fouled on the edge of the box.
North Macedonia 1 England 1
60. England have looked a lot more fluid this half and are putting on pressure as they search for the go-ahead goal.
GOAL – North Macedonia 1 England 1
58. GOALLLLLLLLLLL HARRY KANE!
Kane scores with his first touch of the ball to drag England level.
North Macedonia 1 England 0
57. England get a corner after Alexandre-Arnold has a shot deflected.
Kane comes on before the set-piece for Watkins.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
