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Having already sealed their place in next summer’s Euro 2024 campaign, the Three Lions ended their qualifying campaign in Skopje with a disappointing draw.
North Macedonia took the lead just before half-time when Rico Lewis, making his England debut, was judged to have fouled Bojan Miovski inside the box. The Manchester City youngster jumped to head the ball with his outstretched arm making minimal contact with the striker.
Referee Filip Glova initially waved play on before being told to by VAR to review the incident on the pitch-side monitor, subsequently pointing from the spot.
Jordan Pickford saved the penalty but Enis Bardhi lashed home the rebound.
Harry Kane helped England rescue a draw, coming off the bench to help force an own goal just before the hour mark.
Manchester United defender Maguire, who was perhaps lucky to avoid conceding a penalty himself after knocking over Elif Elmas in the first-half, was furious with the decision.
He Sky Sports: ‘It was a tough game. We gave… well, the referee gave them a goal then at this place when you get a goal behind it is tough.
‘But it was great character shown from the lads, they are a young side out there and we showed good fight and on another day we win the game comfortably.
‘We controlled the game from start to finish, we had a couple of moments where we were a little bit sloppy with the ball, myself included, but we move forward.’
On the penalty decision, he continued: ‘It was a crazy decision. I’ve said it for months now, it’s making life harder foe defenders.
‘We are playing against top quality players and we can’t move our body, we can’t make contact, you can’t put your arms out.
‘It’s making it too hard. it was never a penalty but I think Rico reacted very well and he put in a big performance after that.’
MORE : England close out Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with bleak draw against North Macedonia
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