The teams walk out to a ripple of applause. There aren't many fans inside the 33,000-capacity national stadium as the national anthems start.

Image source, Reuters

Are the Lionesses going to roar in Skopje and produce another landslide win?

This is England's first World Cup qualifier since they recorded their biggest-ever competitive victory - a 20-0 win over Latvia in Doncaster at the end of November.

The margin of the win surpassed their previous record competitive win, a 13-0 success against Hungary back in 2005.

Report the report here.

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North Macedonia's 2023 World Cup qualifying campaign:

A v England L 0-8

H v Austria L 0-6

A v Latvia W 4-1

H v Luxembourg L 2-3

H v Northern Ireland L 0-11

A v Northern Ireland L 0-9

England

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England manager Sarina Wiegman, speaking to ITV: "We changed a little bit - not the plan - but just other players in positions.

"At this moment Mary Earps is our number one. The goalkeepers are pushing each other very hard. They are very competitive.

"Hannah Hampton has done well but doesn't have that much experience so we want to give her that tonight just because she has done so well.

"Jess Carter has played in that position [in defence]. They [Carter and Bright] are used to playing together at Chelsea so we don't expect many changes in our plan."

It's been T-shirt weather in Skopje today and it's still 18C as kick-off nears. It's been umbrella weather in Manchester - where I'm sat - if anyone is interested. No surprise there then.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

North Macedonia have endured a torrid qualifying campaign after losing five of their opening six group games - conceding 38 times in the process.

They are 132nd in the world - below the likes of New Caledonia and Guam - and 124 places below the Lionesses in Fifa's rankings.

North Macedonia cannot qualify automatically for the World Cup but they can still finish in a play-off spot although their form suggests that seems highly unlikely.

Their last group game ended in a 9-0 defeat against Northern Ireland in Belfast back in November.

England

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Former England striker Ian Wright, speaking to ITV: "Its so far so good for England. They have scored 53, not conceded any goals. The Arnold Clark Cup was so good as we needed to see what we were like against those types of opposition.

"In [the last game against North Macedonia] we missed so many chances and they could have been more ruthless. They have learnt that and are more ruthless now. It will be interesting to see how they attack the game."

Aston Villa defender Anita Asante: "It was amazing to see the girls winning a trophy but I think we saw when Keira Walsh plays, the heart of the team is there. We were robust defensively and we got the ball to Lauren Hemp."

On Jess Carter starting: "It's a really good option for Sarina Wiegman because Jess Carter is a versatile defender. I think we'll see a natural relationship develop with her and Millie Bright.

"It's a good opportunity for Wiegman to give time to players. She will be closer to knowing what her strongest XI is too."

Everton defender Gabby George could make her first England appearance since 2018 after being named on the bench.

Her love for football developed as a kid playing alongside her cousin, Manchester United and England's Jesse Lingard.

"I was close to Jesse growing up," she says. "He supports me a lot now. He's one member of the family who understands it on a different level."

She tells her story to BBC Sport's Emma Sanders.

England started their World Cup qualifying campaign with a thumping 8-0 win over North Macedonia at Southampton last September. Four of those goals came in a frantic final 13 minutes in front of 8,214 fans at St Mary's Stadium.

It gave Sarina Wiegman a flying start in her first game in charge of the Lionesses.

Ella Toone scored on her first start, while Ellen White and substitute Bethany England netted twice. Beth Mead capped off a brilliant display with a goal and there were also two own goals from the visitors.

Image source, Rex Features

Image source, Rex Features

Image source, Rex Features

Image source, reuters

It's been a busy few days of World Cup qualifying action with inaugural Women's Ballon d'Or winner Ada Hegerberg scoring a hat-trick on her Norway return after five years away from international football.

The Lyon forward quit the national team in 2017 in protest at a perceived lack of respect for female players.

A change of president at the Norwegian Football Federation played a part in the 26-year-old reversing her decision.

And she returned in style, scoring three times in a 5-1 World Cup qualifying win over Kosovo.

Read more here

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This game is taking place at the 33,000-capacity Tose Proeski Arena in Skopje - scene of Manchester United's 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid in the 2017 Uefa Super Cup.

Liverpool also played here in a Europa League qualifier against FK Rabotnicki in 2010.

Image source, Rex Features

Seven teams have qualified so far for the World Cup which takes place in Australia and New Zealand between 20 July and 20 August 2023.

As well as co-hosts Australia and New Zealand, the other teams that have booked their place are Japan, South Korea, China, Philippines and Vietnam.

There are 25 places still to be filled.

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England have scored an eye-watering 53 times in six qualifying matches so far.

Ellen White has nine of those while Arsenal's Beth Mead has scored two hat-tricks - against Northern Ireland and Latvia.

It's worth pointing out that the Lionesses are yet to concede in qualifying and have a goal difference of +53.

Image source, Rex Features

Nineteen years ago Wayne Rooney scored the first of his 53 England goals in Skopje at the age of 17 years and 317 days.

Tonight, Ellen White can challenge the record of England's all-time leading scorer in North Macedonia's capital.

England women's top scorer is four short of equalling Rooney's tally and will fancy her chances of adding to her 49 international goals against a team that has conceded 38 times in six World Cup qualifiers.

"Ellen is a goal machine," says Millie Bright, who captain's England tonight in place of Leah Williamson, who is not playing because of concussion protocols.

"I think it would be a huge achievement. It has not really been a conversation [among the players] but I'm sure it will be when she achieves it."

The making of Lionesses’ history-maker Ellen White.

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This could be a huge night for Manchester City forward Ellen White.

Sarina Wiegman has made four changes to the England side from the victory over Germany in February.

There's a second England start for goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, while Demi Stokes comes in for the injured Alex Greenwood.

Ella Toone replaces Leah Williamson who is out under concussion protocols. Beth Mead is up front as Fran Kirby is absent.

England XI: Hampton, Bronze, Bright, Carter, Stokes, Stanway, Walsh, Toone, Mead, White, Hemp.

Subs: Earps, Roebuck, Daly, Zelem, George, Parris, Nobbs, Russo, Scott.

Image source, .

Five points clear of second-placed Austria and third-placed Northern Ireland in the six-team Group D, England could seal their place at Australia and New Zealand 2023 by next week.

The Lionesses play Northern Ireland next Tuesday at Windsor Park, Belfast.

If they beat North Macedonia and Northern Ireland - and Austria fail to take maximum points from their next two - England will qualify with two games to spare.

They've dished out a 10-0 thumping to Luxembourg.

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And smashed Latvia 30-0 over two games.

Image source, Reuters

England's 2023 World Cup qualifying campaign has been bursting with goals but how many will the Lionesses bag against North Macedonia, the world's 132nd best team?

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