ENGLAND will be high on confidence after breezing past Malta but North Macedonia could prove to be a tricky test.
The Three Lions welcome Igor Angelovski’s side to Old Trafford tonight looking to continue their 100 per cent start to Euro 2024 qualifying.
England are expected to win comfortably but North Macedonia have thrown up surprises in the past, not least against England.
The two teams have not met since October 2006 when Steve McClaren’s side failed to score in a 0-0 draw.
The likes of Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard could not find a way past a stubborn North Macedonian side, and the two points dropped cost England Euro 2008 qualification.
England beat North Macedonia in the two meetings prior to that but both came away from home.
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And in the first clash between the pair at St Mary’s in October 2002, England twice had to equalise in a 2-2 draw.
West Brom flop Artim Sakiri scored directly from a corner after lobbing David Seaman before David Beckham produced a lob of his own.
Gerrard also netted a superb strike after Vančo Trajanov had restored North Macedonia’s lead, and Sven Goran Eriksson was unable to find a way to win the match.
More recently, North Macedonia produced a huge shock by beating Italy in March last year to knock the European champions out of the World Cup qualifying play-off.
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Gareth Southgate will likely be warning his side against complacency ahead of the game, though the squad should be reinvigorated by the return of the Manchester City stars who sat out the win over Malta.
The Three Lions boss said ahead of the clash: “It is always difficult picking a team because we have some depth and players who have all trained well, all presenting well, all available.
“Looking at the opposition, the best way to win a game and the attributes we need so it is not an easy decision.
“They (the City contingent) are very talented, important players for us. We have looked at the opposition as well, making sure we get the balance of our team right. We are pleased to be bringing a team to Manchester. The team is for all of the country not just the south.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
