The Daily Telegraph

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England gave four players - Bukayo Saka, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Harvey Barnes, Reece James - their England debuts, the second game running four players have earned their debuts. It’s the first time since April/May 1933 that England have given debuts to four or more player in consecutive internationals.

There were just 54 caps between the players in the England starting XI before kick-off, the fewest for an international since May 1980, when the XI for a game against Australia had just 46 caps between them.

Image source, EPA

There were no supporters at Wembley on Thursday but there was a rare sense of euphoria, as England's most inexperienced side in 40 years revelled in beating Wales.

On a night of firsts, debutant Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Conor Coady and Danny Ings all scored their first international goals - the first time three England players have done so in the same game since 1963.

"It's just an incredible night," said Wolves defender Coady.

"I'm still in shock to be honest, it'll live with me forever. It will be on repeat in my house now - it's an amazing night for me."

Coady ended a run of 111 games for club and country with a goal, scoring his first goal since April 2018 for Wolves against Bolton in a Championship match. It was the first time he’d had two shots in a match since March 2017 for Wolves against Reading.

The Daily Star

Wales suffered their worst defeat against England since May 1973, also a 3-0 defeat.

It means England have won six consecutive matches against Wales for the first time since a run of seven between March 1908 and March 1914.

Image source, Daily Star

The back page of the Daily Mirror also features the story of French midfielder Paul Pogba admitting that playing for Real Madrid would be "a dream" as speculation continues to grow over his future at Manchester United.

Daily Mirror

Having already qualified for Euro 2020, England had a friendly with Wales on Thursday, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Jack Grealish both impressing as the Three Lions enjoyed a comfortable victory at Wembley.

Image source, Daily Mirror

The Scottish Sun

It was penalty joy for Scotland at Hampden, though, as they moved within one game of joining England in Group D at Euro 2020.

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Image source, Inpho

Republic of Ireland boss Stephen Kenny says he contested the omissions of forwards Adam Idah and Aaron Connolly after the pair missed Thursday's Euro 2020 play-off defeat by Slovakia.

A member of the Republic's backroom staff tested positive for Covid-19 after the team arrived in Bratislava, and both players were deemed to have been close contact so had to sit out the game.

The FAI employee tested negative on Tuesday morning in Dublin but a positive result came from a test in Bratislava on Wednesday.

Kenny clarified after the game that the Republic had unsuccessfully tried to appeal against the decision, which he described as "harsh".

"They were deemed close contacts to one of our non-footballing staff," said Kenny. "We appealed [against] it on the basis of 1.7 metres as opposed to 1.9 metres - that's how far they were away, as opposed to two metres which would have made them OK. That wasn't deemed sufficient."

Image source, PA Media

The Republic of Ireland's defeat on penalties by Slovakia in Thursday's Euro 2020 play-off semi-final "is a harsh way to lose", says Stephen Kenny.

Slovakia won the shootout 4-2 after a goalless draw in Bratislava, which ended the Republic's dream of reaching a third successive European Championship finals.

"The stakes are high, the prize is absolutely huge and we can't get it back, and that is difficult to accept," said boss Kenny.

With the nature of the defeat and the late enforced changes to his team, Kenny added that his side "showed great qualities as men".

"We looked like we really wanted to win it and we had some good chances but we just couldn't score that goal that we needed," added Kenny, speaking to Sky Sports.

"The players didn't deserve to lose the game. Their workrate was phenomenal and their determination to win and make the final was very evident.

"It was very unfortunate and a harsh way to lose but that is how it goes. I'm really, really disappointed for the players, they deserve better and I can't really ask any more of them."

Image source, PA Media

Northern Ireland manager Ian Baraclough says his side's dramatic Euro play-off semi-final penalty shootout success was the result of a well executed gameplan.

Late substitutes Liam Boyce and Conor Washington both scored spot-kicks after being brought on in the 120th minute for Jordan Thompson and Jordan Jones, who had also come off the bench.

"It [penalties] is something we spoke about and worked on - who are the best penalty takers and who are the most confident stepping up. We had a gameplan in place," said Baraclough.

"We were desperate for the ball to go out of play to get Boycie and Conor on the pitch. The two lads that had come on as subs earlier were selfless. We knew they weren't as strong penalty takers.

"Our planning had involved going away and practicing your penalty, put it in the place you want to put it and don't change your mind."

Let's not forget that Northern Ireland will also be playing in the play-off finals on 12 November, at home to Slovakia, after winning away to Bosnia-Herzegovina, beating the hosts in hugely dramatic fashion after an enthralling match in Sarajevo finished 1-1 after extra time.

It could have been an all-Irish affair in Belfast next month but the Republic of Ireland were beaten 4-2 on penalties in Slovakia, after a 0-0 draw.

Image source, Reuters

BBC Radio 5 Live

Former Scotland international Paul Lambert has been speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live about the chance of getting past Serbia in the play-off final on 12 November.

The current Ipswich boss was in the Scotland midfield the last time they played at a major tournament in 1998.

"It's great," he said. "Serbia is still a hard game. They've got some really good players. It's going to be a tough game but at least it's given the country a little bit of hope - I think we needed it.

"A one-off game, you can win. It's going to be a really tough game. It's an all or nothing game, you put everything into it. Hopefully, we can get a result and we have a really good time.

"It could be great if the lads get there."

Scotland's head coach Steve Clarke praised the character of his players after they scored all five penalties in their shootout win over Israel.

Still in dreamland Scots? Then click here to give the Scottish Football Podcast a listen for all the reaction.

Former Scotland boss Craig Levein was onboard to discuss Thursday's win. The pod's just over an hour long so fill yer boots!

Thomas Duncan
BBC Scotland reporter

As punters across Scotland gawped through the windows of closed pubs to catch a glimpse of their national team's play-off penalty shootout, the usual fatalism kicked in.

"It's Scotland. They're not going to do this."

But one David Marshall save and five perfect spot-kicks later, fans were celebrating outside boozers that had closed halfway through extra time to adhere to Covid restrictions.

The added bonus? Scotland don't even have to face Norway and their goal machine Erling Braut Haaland to get to a first major tournament in 23 years.

But it wouldn't be Scotland without taking a dour look at the cold, hard reality facing the team as they look to achieve their ultimate goal. Click here to see what stands in the way of a place at Euro 2020...

Image source, Reuters

Goalkeeper David Marshall said the Scotland squad had been practising penalties every day before their Euro 2020 play-off semi-final shootout win over Israel.

Image source, PA Media

Scotland have a "big chance" to make "a small piece of history" after they moved to within one game of Euro 2020, says head coach Steve Clarke.

The Scots saw off Israel on penalties at Hampden to set up a play-off final in Serbia on 12 November.

Scotland last qualified for a major tournament in 1998, but a return is now tantalisingly close.

"It's a big chance. We spoke about hopefully making a small piece of history for the team," Clarke said.

"We still have that in front of us. That was the objective, to make sure we are in the final next month and we have achieved that."

No chance of any transfer talk on the back of today's Scottish Daily Mail though.

It's all about Steve Clarke's men moving within one game of their first major tournament since 1998.

Image source, Scottish Daily Mail

The Daily Mail

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So much for this season being a fresh start for Mesut Ozil at Arsenal then.

The Mail are reporting, external that the Gunners want to reopen talks with the German midfielder, 31, over terminating his contract before the January transfer window.

That's the top story in today's gossip.

The Guardian

Our Phil mentioned Danny Ings' overhead kick for England's third goal. The Guardian used an image of it, beside the story on Mesut Ozil being left out of Arsenal's Europa League squad.

Image source, The Guardian

The Times

Dominic Calvert-Lewin became the 188th player to score on his England debut and the first Everton player to do so since Fred Pickering in 1964.

Three players all scored their first England goals in this game - Calvert-Lewin, Conor Coady and Danny Ings - the first time that’s happened since June 1963 against Switzerland - Tony Kay, Johnny Byrne and Jimmy Melia.

Image source, The Times