England vs Belgium LIVE: Latest team news and line-ups as Kobbie ...
Can England get back to winning ways ahead of Euro 2024 as Gareth Southgate’s side host Belgium?
England face Belgium at Wembley tonight as Gareth Southgate’s side look to get back to winning ways following defeat to Brazil on Saturday. The Three Lions lost their unbeaten run as a result of Endrick’s late winner, while the injury crisis face Southgate’s team has worsened as England continue their Euro 2024 preparations.
Southgate is dealing with an “incredible number” of absent players, with captain Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka joined on the sidelines by Harry Maguire and Kyle Walker, who pulled out of the England squad following the 1-0 defeat to Brazil.
But it has led to opportunities for others to impress Southgate, with tonight’s match England’s final fixture before the squad for the Euros is announced in May. Kobbie Mainoo could make his full England debut after winning his first cap off the bench at the weekend, while Ivan Toney is also set to be involved tonight.
Follow live updates from England vs Belgium in tonight’s live blog, while you can get the latest odds and tips on the match, here:
It’s safe to say that Belgium’s side has evolved since beating England at the 2018 World Cup. In fact, they’re almost unrecognisable.
With headline talents like Eden Hazard, Toby Alderwiereld and Dries Mertens no longer involved, a new generation of talent has emerged under head coach Domenico Tedesco.
It acts as a fresh challenge for Gareth Southgate, who can appreciate the job Tedesco has done in revamping a squad which, after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, was clearly beginning to stagnate.
“It’s obviously a new generation, if you like, bar (Romelu) Lukaku, (Jan) Vertonghen, I suppose (Timothy) Castagne to a degree,” Southgate told the PA news agency. “But from that team from 2018, a big evolution.
“I think Domenico (Tedesco) has done a very good job to this point through the qualifying campaign.”
DOMENICO TEDESCO
(AP)
Will Castle26 March 2024 16:20
Time is running out for England players to impress manager Gareth Southgate and win a place in his 23-player squad for Euro 2024.
England play Slovenia, Denmark and Serbia in Group C when they begin their quest to win the tournament in Germany this summer.
Southgate’s side topped their qualifying group without defeat and are one of the favourites to lift the trophy in Germany on 14 July, given their recent record in major tournaments and the outstanding form of attacking duo Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham this season.
But this is the last chance for players before he decides on his provisional squad on 21 May.
By Lawrence Ostlere
A closer look at which England players are heading to Germany for Euro 2024 and who might miss out on the final 23
Will Castle26 March 2024 16:00
Declan Rice on captaining England for the first time:
“I am speechless to be honest with you; absolutely lost for words.
“When Gareth said to me last night I was going to be captain, I gave him a hug, shook his hand and said thank you very much.
“I owe him a lot since I first came into the team. He’s always made me feel at home, I’ve always felt so comfortable playing under him and I have really grown in confidence.
“So on my 50th cap to walk out at Wembley in front of my family and my friends, it is an absolute honour.
“I think you can see by my face that I am a bit speechless, to be honest with you.”
Will Castle26 March 2024 15:40
It’ll be a momentous occasion for Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice as he wears the armband for the first time in tonight’s encounter with Belgium.
Rice already boasts captaincy experienced at club level, having been West Ham’s skipper as they won the Europa Conference League last season – his final game before a club-record £105million move to the Gunners followed.
He has established himself as one of the best players in the Premier League this season as Mikel Arteta’s side push for the Premier League title and prepare for a Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich.
Following in the footsteps of England’s World Cup winning captain Bobby Moore - a fellow former Hammer - Rice will have plenty of players running through his thoughts when he leads England out.
As well as reaching a half-century of caps, Rice will also wear the armband at Wembley
Will Castle26 March 2024 15:20
Some slightly better injury news to bring you.
Jordan Henderson and Cole Palmer were both absent for the weekend’s outing against Brazil - and while the new Ajax skipper is unlikely to make his return against Belgium, Gareth Southgate is hopeful Palmer can feature this evening.
The England manager is also certain that Jude Bellingham is ready to play a full match, having spent close to two months rehabbing a sprained ankle.
Speaking in his press conference on Monday, Southgate said: “Hendo probably not, Cole is back in training so that is possible.
“With Jude, absolutely (he can play the full 90 minutes). Jude had cramps the other day. He’s missed quite a bit of football recently so actually, he is ready for games.”
(The FA via Getty Images)
Will Castle26 March 2024 15:00
Gareth Southgate on England injuries:
“It’s an incredible number unavailable to us. I haven’t experienced that before.
“But it means there’s opportunities for other people. We saw against Brazil players step up and take those opportunities which is great for us as well.
“I have to say, with everything that’s happened, the original idea or plan for the week is a little bit different.
“We’re probably finding out about more players, but that’s really helpful. To see all those players against high level opposition will help us make better decisions moving forward.”
Will Castle26 March 2024 14:40
As preparations ramp up for Euro 2024, Gareth Southgate can now count as many as 15 regular players unavailable to him through injury.
A crisis that has exacerbated in the aftermath of England’s 1-0 defeat to Brazil on Saturday, Southgate has since seen Harry Kane, Kyle Walker, Sam Johnstone and Harry Maguire all return to their clubs with fitness woes.
The quartet joins Bukayo Saka on the list of recent England casualties, with the Arsenal winger having pulled out of the squad prior to the weekend.
Adding to a lengthy absentee list that includes the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Nick Pope, Luke Shaw, Mark Ghehi and Callum Wilson, Southgate has bemoaned the misfortune of his side in what is the worst injury crisis he has ever experienced.
(The FA via Getty Images)
Will Castle26 March 2024 14:20
Odds
England win: 7/9
Draw: 11/4
Belgium win: 7/2
Prediction
Considering injuries to both sides, a narrow home win looks the likeliest result. England 2-1 Belgium
Jamie Braidwood26 March 2024 14:05
England XI: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Branthwaite, Gomez; Mainoo, Rice, Bellingham; Foden, Toney, Rashford.
Belgium XI: Sels; Castagne, De Winter, Faes, Deman; Vranckx, Onana, Tielemans; Bakayoko, Lukaku, Trossard.
Jamie Braidwood26 March 2024 14:04
For Belgium, the most notable absentees are Kevin De Bruyne and Thibaut Courtois, with the former withdrawn and the latter still out with a knee injury. Jeremy Doku, Romelu Lukaku and Amadou Onana will be hoping to start after initially being rested against the Republic of Ireland.
Jamie Braidwood26 March 2024 14:03
