England end the qualifiers with a draw at North Macedonia 

England boss Gareth Southgate feels “he has learned a lot” despite his team ending their European Championship qualifying season undefeated with a disappointing tie at North Macedonia.

Seeding Confirmed for Already-Qualified England

England, having already secured their qualification, managed to secure the point they needed in Skopje, solidifying their position as a top seed for Euro 2024. However, their performance echoed the underwhelming display from their previous 2-0 win over Malta.

Manager’s Perspective

Gareth Southgate acknowledged the team’s approach, emphasizing the opportunity to explore different players while aiming for victory. Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Southgate highlighted the advantage of learning from both matches, usually an exercise reserved for March. The experimentation provided valuable insights for the team.

Controversial Penalty Decision

A contentious moment arose in the first half as the hosts were awarded a controversial penalty. England debutant Rico Lewis was deemed to have caught striker Bojan Miovski with his hand during a header, resulting in the penalty decision.

England’s journey towards Euro 2024 has allowed for tactical experiments and player assessments, providing valuable insights for the team ahead of the tournament. Despite the draw and contentious decisions, England’s focus on strategic development remains a key takeaway from these recent matches.