In the final chapter of their Euro 2024 qualifying journey, England settled for a 1-1 draw against North Macedonia, concluding their Group C campaign undefeated.
The visitors faced an unexpected setback when VAR intervened, attributing a penalty against 19-year-old debutant Rico Lewis, just a day before his 19th birthday, for a peculiar foul inside the box.
https://youtu.be/8JE7k2buIwM?si=c99JYDvf1AccDmqf
Despite this early setback, England showcased resilience and mounted a comeback in the second half, leveling the score when Jani Atanasov, under pressure from substitute Harry Kane, inadvertently turned the ball into his own net.
The Three Lions, having already secured their place in the Germany finals with two games to spare, aimed to conclude the year with a decisive victory. However, the anticipated triumph eluded them as they delivered a lackluster performance in Skopje.
https://youtu.be/nCAbdkFKM3U?si=3jamNgnvq3YjDBdc
Gareth Southgate, urging for a commanding display after a less-than-impressive outing against Malta, witnessed his team struggle to find tempo in the first period, leading to their fall behind in controversial circumstances just before the interval.
While the draw didn’t diminish England’s qualification feat, it underscored the challenges faced in their pursuit of Euro 2024 glory.