England vs Belgium: Live score, team news and updates with Kobbie Mainoo making his first start for Three Lions… plus updates from Wales vs Poland with Euro 2024 spot up for grabs
England vs Belgium: Live score, team news and updates with Kobbie Mainoo making his first start for Three Lions… plus updates from Wales vs Poland with Euro 2024 spot up for grabs
There it is, confirmation that both Kobbie Mainoo and Ivan Toney will make their first starts for England tonight.
Ezri Konsa, Lewis Dunk, and Jarrod Bowen, follow them into the line-up as Gareth Southgate makes five changes from the side that lost to Brazil on Saturday.
Wales’ thumping semi-final victory
Let’s look at how Wales made it to the play-off finals then.
It was a fairly easy night in Cardiff on Saturday as Wales swept aside Finland 4-1.
David Brooks and Neco Williams put Wales two goals to the good before Teemu Pukki pulled one back for the visitors on the stroke of half-time.
However, it took just 90 seconds into the second period for Wales to restore their two-goal lead through Brennan Johnson.
Dan James then sealed a magical night for the Welsh off the bench.
Surely, that will give them huge confidence going into tonight, they are just one step away from Euro 2024.
The Three Lions’ bogey team
When I think of England facing Belgium, I don’t normally think of victory for the Three Lions.
Historically England have a very good record against Belgium, winning 16 of their 25 meetings, however, they have not fared so well in recent times losing three of the last four of them.
The one anomaly from the last four came in October 2020, as they came out 2-1 at Wembley. Although, those two goals are the only ones England have scored in their last four meetings with Belgium.
Not great stats I must say…
England are in the building
So, we know Kobbie Mainoo and Ivan Toney are set to start tonight, but who else are we likely to see?
I suspect Gareth Southgate will put out a very strong 11, it’s their last chance to show what they’ve got before June!
No names on England kit in second half
England will arise from the tunnel after half-time with no names on the back of their shirts.
What is the reason for this? Well, it is for a great cause. Tonight’s match is devoted to Alzheimer’s Society because of the charity’s partnership with the Football Association.
This is the second occasion England have decided to do this and the reason behind the nameless shirts is to bring ‘attention to how people with dementia lose precious memories’ including forgetting their favourite football players’ names.
The shirts in question will be the new England away strip, which is being played in for the first time.
Mainoo and Toney in line to start
I mentioned earlier that there would be some possible changes, and there are two that stand out.
It has been reported by Sami Mokbel, Mail Sport, that both Kobbie Mainoo and Ivan Toney are set to be given their chance from the start tonight.
18-year-old Mainoo made his international debut in the loss to Brazil with a short cameo from the bench, but now is a chance to see what he can do in a Three Lins shirt.
Toney did not come on against Brazil, but after Ollie Watkins failed to make an impression, he is set to be given a chance to stake his claim for a Euro 2024 spot.
It’s exciting times for England that with all the absentees at the moment, they can still bring in two players of real quality into the fold.
It’s a huge opportunity for both of them.
What Wales and Poland are fighting for
While tonight is huge for both Wales and Poland, it could only be the start of a very tough run in the Euros this summer.
Whoever does get through tonight will not have it easy in Germany. The winner of tonight’s match will end up in group D, and these are the sides they are fighting to face:
Can Wales fill that spot?
Declan Rice set to captain England for 50th Cap
Life really moves fast, doesn’t it?
It feels like just yesterday Declan Rice was given his first England call-up, snubbing Ireland in the process after making three caps in green (sorry to bring that up Ireland fans).
However, that is now five years in the past and Rice is set to step out onto the grass in England colours for the 50th time. To make things even more special, it has already been confirmed he will be captain in the absence of Harry Kane.
It’s fair to say the Arsenal midfielder is over the moon about it all, in the pre-match press conference, he said:
On my 50th cap, to walk out at Wembley in front of my family and friends, it is a great honour – I’m a bit speechless.
It is a pinch-me moment, it will be an honour. I was absolutely lost for words when [Gareth Southgate] said to me I was going to be captain.
The stage is set in Cardiff
The moment ‘Land of My Fathers’ begins at the Cardiff City Stadium tonight; the Wales players will feel the unwavering support of their fans in a way that not many will have felt before.
After moving on from the likes of Gareth Bale and Joe Allen, the new generation of Wales players are looking to ensure their country reaches a third European Championships in a row.
Standing in their way, Poland, who with Robert Lewandowski leading the line can cause anybody problems.
I remember the atmosphere when Wales beat Ukraine in 2022 to seal their place at the Qatar World Cup later in the same year, and if tonight is anything like that, we are in for one hell of a match.
Get your seatbelts at the ready, it’s going to be a crazy ride.
Can England bounce back?
England’s build-up to the European Championships this summer did not get off to the best start on Saturday.
The Three Lions, who are arguably favourites for the competition in Germany, got a slap of reality when Endrick netted an 80th-minute winner for Brazil to end England’s 20-match Wembley unbeaten streak.
Well, tonight they return to the national stadium to face off against Belgium in their final match until June.
Facing the Red Devils has not always brought the fondest of memories for England in recent years, but this evening is a chance for Gareth Southgate’s injury-hit side to show that they are still a force to be reckoned with.
Last time out, I predicted lots of goals and we got one, so maybe I should keep my lips sealed tonight…
Good evening!
Welcome, or croeso for our Welsh fans following along.
We have a huge night of international football in store for you, and it is the last one until Euro 2024 preparations come to a head in June.
Gareth Southgate is set to make some big changes as England seek to recover from Saturday’s loss to Brazil with victory over Belgium.
Meanwhile, Wales have a mammoth day in store as they face Poland in the Euro 2024 play-off finals tonight for a spot in Germany this summer.
With it being such a massive day for some of our home nations, we will keep you up to date with the ongoings in both London and Cardiff.
While international football outside of major competitions doesn’t always get a lot of love, days like these are simply great to cover.
I can’t wait any longer, so let’s get going!
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England vs Belgium: Live score, team news and updates with Kobbie Mainoo making his first start for Three Lions… plus updates from Wales vs Poland with Euro 2024 spot up for grabs