Eight points in 8 matches in the qualifiers for the 2024 EURO as Macedonia played a 1:1 draw against England in Skopje in the last round

photo by FFM: caprain Bardhi during the match

Coach Milevski made two changes in the starting line-up from the match in Rome, starting with Atanasov and Alimi instead of Ademi and Elezi. Stole Dimitrievski between the posts, in the defence Visar Musliu, Nikola Serafimov and Jovan Manev, left wing back Ezgjan Alioski, right wing back Bojan Dimoski, in the midfield Isnik Alimi, Jani Atanasov and captain Enis Bardhi, while up front Elif Elmas and Bojan Miovski.

English coach Gareth Southgate decided to field a combined squad without captain Harry Kane as his team already not just that qualified to the EURO, but also booked a place in Pot 1 in the draw.

After 14 minutes of idle play, England had the first chance when Declan Rice hit the far post from left.

The 40th minute was underway when Miovski went on a cross in the English box when Lewis hit him in the face with the elbow. Initially the Slovak referee did not signal anything, but then the VAR referees asked him to rewatch the incident. Macedonia was eventuslly awarded a penalty kick.

Captain Bardhi stepped in and fired low in the right angle. Pickford saved, but then Bardhi scored on the rebound.

In the injury time Alexander-Arnold had a nice shot from outside the box, but Dimitrievski well saved.

Two minutes after the break Saka served Grealish and England scored an equalizer. However VAR interveined and disallowed the goal as Grealish happened to be in an offside position

England was about to take a corner kick in the 58th minute when Southgate decided to bring in Harry Kane. In his first touch with the ball Kane scored on a header after a corner kick by Foden.

Serafimov came close to scoring a header in the 88th minute, but inches above the crossbar.

In the other match in our group Ukraine and Italy played a goalless draw meaning that Italy ends as runer-up and qualifies for the EURO.