England boss Gareth Southgate has 'lots to think about' ahead of Euro 2024, Kyle Walker calls VAR penalty 'unfair'

Gareth Southgate says there is "lots to think about” ahead of next summer’s European Championships, after England wrapped up their qualifying campaign with a 1-1 draw against North Macedonia on Monday night.

The Three Lions manager also praised debutant Rico Lewis, who conceded a penalty in the first half that allowed the hosts to take the lead - a decision Southgate called " really, really harsh".

Lewis was one of several young stars to feature for England during this international break, with Cole Palmer coming on to make his debut in the 2-0 win over Malta on Friday.

Southgate also reflected on his decision to move Trent Alexander-Arnold into a more advanced position in midfield, as he looked ahead to the next few months.

“The next exciting bit is we’ve got the [Euros] draw at the beginning of December so we’ll see what the path looks like,” he told Channel 4.

“But there’s lots of players to keep a track of. Trent [Alexander-Arnold] again has done an excellent job in midfield. With Rico [Lewis] coming in, Cole Palmer coming in, there’s lots for me to think about.”

Southgate added on Lewis: "He was excellent, his composure with the ball, the fact that he did respond to that setback [the penalty], which was really, really harsh.

"He is a super footballer, he was excellent I thought and we’re really pleased with him."

England will finish top of Group C after tonight’s result, having remained unbeaten during the campaign.

"The really big results were in March," Southgate said. "Winning in Italy. Then the result against Ukraine. It meant coming here was a different test.

“But I think given that we’d already qualified and everything had been achieved, I thought the mentality of the players was excellent tonight and the quality of the ball was excellent on a very difficult pitch.

“It was probably just that final pass which was difficult to find against their defence. But I thought there were lots of positive performances.”

After going a goal down, Southgate opted to bring on Harry Kane, who replaced Ollie Watkins and made an immediate impact, heading Phil Foden’s corner onto Jani Atanasov, who diverted the ball into the back of his own net.

But England were unable to get a winner, with Kyle Walker voicing his frustrations over North Macedonia's goal.

“I think after the qualification that we’ve had and already qualifying it was always going to be tough to come here,” the defender said, while stood next to his Man City team-mate, Lewis.

“But we dug in. We got a point. Obviously wanted to take three but things happen in football that I don’t think are fair and the man to the right of me [Lewis] has probably received an unfair decision there.”

Walker added: “It’s football I think sometimes. It’s been a short week where we’ve had two games and already qualified.

“We knew we had to come here and we know it was going to be difficult with the long flight and everything like that. But it’s no excuses. We should be taking three points from that.”

While Walker admitted his own pride at captaining England for the first time in his career, he also heaped praise on Lewis, who will celebrate his 19th birthday on Tuesday.

“He shows day in day out his qualities and to play in a team like we’ve got, he deserves this cap because I think he’s been fantastic,” Walker said.

“So first and foremost, happy birthday for tomorrow.”

While the penalty decision might have soured the evening for Lewis, he admitted his elation at making his senior debut.

“Obviously overall I’m very happy,” Lewis said. “Obviously the result and the decision went against me but overall I’m so happy to make my debut before my birthday. It’s a lovely birthday present. To do it with the people around me it couldn’t be any better.

“I’m not really focused on any tournaments in the future. All I can do is focus on myself and what I can do to get better. So what will be will be. I just need to focus on getting better and better. And we’ll see what happens.”

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