Jordan Pickford is called into action, dashing from his penalty area to launch it into away.

Rob Green
Former England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

We've got an answer almost instantly to the questions we had about the full-back situation before kick-off.

Rico Lewis has already inverted into the midfield from the left hand side, is positioned very high and centrally.

Gareth Southgate did say that he wanted to test a few things in these few games.

Image source, Getty Images

The corner eventually drops to Rico Lewis, on his debut, but he can only lash the ball well off target.

A goal on your international debut just a day before your 19th birthday. That would have been the icing on the cake for Lewis. Not this time.

England make a bright start and Ollie Watkins is only denied turning in Jack Grealish's low pass at the near post by a covering defender.

Image source, EPA

And away we go.

England

England manager Gareth Southgate to Channel Four: "Clearly Ollie Watkins' game is different to Harry Kane's. It is for us to adapt to his way of playing and we're not expecting him to build in the same way that Harry does. He's good at build-up play but of course he has great strength running in behind teams and pressing from the front. We want to play to his qualities, not the other way around."

On Rico Lewis making his debut: "I want him to enjoy his game. That's the biggest thing. It's a brilliant moment for him. He's looked really comfortable with the group and he's a good footballer. Clearly we want to get him in more advanced areas when we have possession on the ball. It's a lovely moment for him to show everybody what he can do."

On Friday's performance: "I think that criticism was fair. We didn't play as well as we'd have liked and we didn't use the ball well enough. We were also a little bit disjointed without the ball. So we've been looking at both aspects of the game. We've obviously got some very good footballers tonight. We want to use the ball better than we did but also we've got to be decisive when we have chances.

"If your aim is to be the best in the world then every day that guides your training and every aspect of your performance. We're still short of where we want to be."

Rob Green
Former England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live Football Daily podcast

Image source, PA Media

The pitch just adds to the difficulty and the awkwardness of the occasion.

It is a new pitch, a new pitch in design, a firm pitch, so you can expect a few rough bounces, rough passes, rough touches, so it is one that the players will want to keep their eyes on.

The progressive play that England try to implement, which they didn't really produce much of against Malta, playing through the lines etcetera. The pitch is going to make it that extra bit harder to do that.

Image source, Getty Images

England will be aiming for an improved performance in North Macedonia this evening after failing to impress in Friday's 2-0 home win over Malta.

The side failed to register a single shot on target in the opening hour against the nation ranked 171st in the world, with an own goal and a 62nd minute strike from Harry Kane sealing an unconvincing victory.

"Performance is the priority," said manager Gareth Southgate. "We've set a standard. We didn't reach that standard on Friday."

He added: "We have to get back to what we're good at. There's always a chance within that to have a look at a couple of things that we'd like to see as well."

Matthew Upson
Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, EPA

I think it is a massive game for Marc Guehi tonight.

It is another opportunity for him to stamp his authority on that position, him and Maguire have played a lot together, he has done well, hasn't put a foot wrong really.

All of these games building up to the tournament next summer are opportunities to impress. The likes of Guehi, Phil Foden in the number 10 role, Jack Grealish starting, Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield.

• England have won eight of their last nine games in all competitions (drawn one) since losing against France in the 2022 World Cup. Victory in North Macedonia would mean their highest ever win rate across a single calendar year in which they played at least 10 matches (90%).
• Since drawing 0-0 at Israel back in March 2007, England have scored in 19 consecutive away European Championship qualifiers, the longest run of any nation in qualifying history.
• England have won both of their previous away games against North Macedonia, 2-1 in September 2003 with Wayne Rooney and David Beckham goals, and 1-0 in September 2006 thanks to a Peter Crouch winner.

Rob Green
Former England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, PA Media

Rico Lewis can play in three or four positions per game at Man City, but he has only played once this season at left-back, and he barely spent any time there anyway [because of City's system].

It will be interesting to see how the full-backs play tonight, they are being used in different ways. Trent Alexander-Arnold is traditionally a right-back and he is on the right side of midfield.

Ernest: Rico Lewis smashing records and living dreams! England's new young gun, following in the legendary footsteps of Micah Richards. Talk about making a grand entrance! Keep your eyes on this one, folks, he's just getting started!

England

England striker Ollie Watkins on Channel Four: "Obviously goals is the main thing [that will help me get selected for the Euros]. As a striker I need to score goals. But also bringing a different dynamic to the team, stretching defences, bringing a different energy."

On England's poor performance against Malta: "You're going to get games like that. Malta made it difficult and we still came away with the win.

"Hopefully we'll see a lot more fluid performance with a lot of goals and we'll bring some energy and excitement tonight."

Matthew Upson
Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, Getty Images

Having flexibility in the squad is important. Versatility of position can be a positive, but for me it can also be a negative as well, because you want players in positions that are excelling at a high level week in and week out.

Rico Lewis is a great example because he plays so many roles for Manchester City. That suits him at the moment as a young player because that enables him to get into the team and get minutes.

However you eventually want to have players that know a position inside and out, especially when you are at the level of trying to win a European Championship.

Remember to stick your names on messages, please.

Rob Green
Former England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live Football Daily podcast

Image source, Getty Images

The performance against Malta was flat.

Now you're looking at a fixture with North Macedonia thinking it could be awkward, it could be difficult - let's make the job as good as possible and as easy as possible.

There is going to be one eye on the weekend for some players, and for other players there will be an eye on their future [in the squad], so there will be an issue of managing individuals for Gareth Southgate.

All in all it needs to be an improved performance.