🌍 Spalletti's Italy era begins with draw; England held, Belgium win | OneFootball

The Euro 2024 qualifiers are in full swing with the likes of Belgium, England and Italy all in action on Saturday.

Here’s what happened.

Spalletti’s Italy era begins with frustrating draw

Scorers: Bardhi 81′; Immobile 47′

Luciano Spalletti’s first match in charge of Italy ended in a draw with old foes North Macedonia in Skopje.

Sandro Tonali went close to opening the scoring for Italy in the 21st minute, but after bursting through on goal his effort was tipped onto the post by goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski.

Italy did score the first goal of the Spalletti era early in the second half. Nicolò Barella’s brilliant half-volley came back off the crossbar, but captain Ciro Immobile was in the perfect place to head home the rebound.

But North Macedonia stayed in the game and in the 81st minute they got their reward in stunning fashion, when Enis Bardhi curled home an unstoppable free-kick past Gianluigi Donnarumma for 1-1.

That result leaves Italy three points behind second-placed Ukraine in Group C, but with a game in hand.

From earlier

Ukraine hold England to draw

Scorers: Zinchenko 26′; Walker 41′.

England’s 100% record came to an end as they were held by an energetic Ukraine team in Wroclaw.

The hosts drew first blood in the 26th minute through Oleksandr Zinchenko who arrived late into the box to turn home Yukhym Konoplya’s cut-back.

England levelled through an unlikely source as Harry Kane split the Ukraine defence open with an inviting long-ball which found Kyle Walker arriving at the back post to take a touch before squeezing past Georgiy Bushschan.

It was the Manchester City defender’s first goal for his country in what was his 77th appearance.

Gareth Southgate’s side pushed for a winner with Bukayo Saka coming close on the hour mark, smashing the crossbar with a powerful left-footed effort from the edge of the box.

Ukraine ground out a draw to remain in second place in the group with seven points from four games while England stay top with 13 points from their five outings.

Carrasco winner takes Belgium top

Scorers: Carrasco 38′

A first half Yannick Carrasco goal was enough to see Belgium overcome Azaerbaijan in Baku.

Belgium came into this Group F clash looking for the three points that would take them above Austria and into first place.

They travelled to the Dalga Arena to take on the winless Azerbaijanis with the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Leandro Trossard and Youri Tielemans all starting.

But it was Yannick Carrasco who opened the scoring just before half time as he finished well after good work by Johan Bakayoko.

Into the second half and the home side had their own opportunity to get on the scoresheet with Emin Mahumdov going close.

But they couldn’t find that goal as Belgium held out for a narrow win.

Other results

Sunday’s fixtures see Ireland taking on Netherlands and Finland face their Scandinavian neighbours Denmark.