Match Centre: England v Bosnia 3-0 Herzegovina
- C. Palmer (60′PEN)
- T. Alexander-Arnold (85′)
- H. Kane (89′)
- M. Guéhi (29′)
- J. Branthwaite (76′)
- B. Tahirović (59′)
- J. Gazibegović (64′)
Highlights: England 3-0 Bosnia & Herzegovina
Watch the best of the action from St. James' Park as the Three Lions kick-off their EURO 2024 preparations
The Three Lions score three second-half goals to seal victory at St. James' Park in EURO 2024 warm-up
England v Bosnia & Herzegovina
Men's International Match
7.45pm BST, Monday 3 June 2024
St. James' Park, Newcastle United FC
Gareth Southgate and Kieran Trippier faced the press ahead of England's match with Iceland at St James' Park on Monday.
Southgate confirmed that Trippier will captain the team, with both answering several other questions.
Here's what they had to say.
Southgate on the fitness of Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire and Anthony Gordon…
"All are progressing well so we're pleased with that. None of them will be involved tomorrow, same tomorrow for Bukayo Saka and for John Stones. Everybody else will be involved. John reported late. Bukayo is fine but we've decided he will rest tomorrow and he should be available for Friday. Anthony has a good chance for Friday, the other two that's a bit more unlikely but we'll see how they go."
Southgate on Jude Bellingham winning the Champions League…
"He's had a fantastic season. To join the biggest club in the world and perform the way he has throughout this season has been an incredible year for him. You saw him with his family, they have to take enormous credit. That's the way he is. He is authentic and has humility and understanding. He will be off this week because we want him fresh. We try to think about the individual. He's super professional so he's going to tick over but for us we didn't need to see him before next Saturday."
Southgate on the familiar faces in defence…
"It's testament to their consistency. They've all been playing at top clubs and have delivered in the biggest matches under the most intense pressure. There is a bit of a bond between that group that you get on those big nights. They've had to dig in and come through those challenges. Their pride, their drive, their determination to win has given us a platform in the seven years we've been in charge."
Southgate on what he wants from these two games…
"There's a reality with the constraints we've got in that four or five guys aren't with us yet. Some players need minutes, some players are short, the whole group that's been with us have had a couple of weeks without a game so everyone will benefit. There's a physical aspect we're looking at and then an opportunity to see some combinations, see players in different positions, some with fewer caps than others playing in what will be a brilliant atmosphere. Lots of objectives and I think the boys will play well. They've come with a top mentality."
Southgate on whether uncapped players will be involved…
"That will be varying. We're not in a process of just giving caps, we're preparing for a tournament. There are some things we'd like to see and we're happy with how they've trained. The week already has thrown up some brilliant experiences for them. Some will be involved tomorrow, some might not, some might travel to Germany, some might not. I can’t be definitive on that yet."
Trippier on captaining the team tomorrow…
"It's going to be very special in the stadium I play in every week. I have to thank Gareth for giving me that trust. If I have the armband or not, if I play or not, I'm a leader. That's the type of character I am. My son will be mascot so that's even more special. It'll be a very proud moment for me."
Trippier on his own fitness…
"My calf's feeling great. Obviously it was disappointing to pick up that injury but I've worked extremely hard in my rehab to get myself ready. My fitness is fine and I'm ready to go. All the lads have had a good week's training, they're all ready."
Trippier on Bellingham…
"It doesn't seem like he's a 20-year-old. He's so mature and it comes with pressure at Real Madrid. All the boys are delighted for him. Hopefully he can bring that form with England."
Trippier on the expectation ahead of EURO 2024…
"We shouldn't be shy to say we can win it. We've got a great squad, top manager, top staff, we've been so close recently and it's about taking the next step. I fully believe we can go all the way but we need to earn the right. The most important thing is the togetherness in this squad, it's unbelievable. Gareth has created a culture and we all know what it means to play for England."
Bosnia & Herzegovina in profile
Nickname: The Dragons
Coach: Sergej Barbarez
Captain: Edin Djeko
From the archive: Bosnia & Herzegovina 0-0 England MU21s
Gareth Southgate led his Young Lions to Sarajevo back in November 2015, see how the game went...
Head to head
The Three Lions have yet to play Bosnia & Herzegovina at men's senior level, so this will be the first meeting of the nations.
However, England boss Gareth Southgate has been in opposition as his MU21s side drew 0-0 with them in Sarajevo in a UEFA U21 EURO qualifier in November 2015.
Opta Stats
● This is the first ever meeting between England and Bosnia and Herzegovina in any competition. It’s the first time the Three Lions are facing a European nation for a first time since they won 5-3 against Kosovo in 2019.
● Bosnia and Herzegovina are unbeaten in their seven games against the British home nations this century (W4 D3). Their last such defeat was against Scotland in a EUROs qualifier in 1999.
● This is England’s first match at St James’ Park since March 2005, when they won 2-0 against Azerbaijan in a World Cup qualifier. The Three Lions have won their last four games at Newcastle United’s home without conceding a goal since losing 2-1 to Wales back in 1933.
● Bosnia and Herzegovina have lost their last four matches, conceding 13 goals across these games. They haven’t lost more consecutively since losing eight in a row between August 2007 and January 2008.
● England are unbeaten in their last eleven friendly matches against European nations (W8 D3) since losing 3-2 away at France in June 2017.
● England have conceded the first goal in each of their last three matches (D2 L1), as many as in their previous 14 games combined. They haven’t conceded first in four games in a row since across four matches in May and June 1985.
● Bosnia are winless in their last 26 matches against the nations currently in the top ten of FIFA’s world rankings (D6 L20), with their last such win coming against Belgium back in April 2009.
● Bukayo Saka has been involved in ten goals in his last 13 England appearances (seven goals, three assists), twice as many as he managed in his first 19 games for the Three Lions (five).
England Squad News
Ticket Information
How to watch or stream
This game will be shown live on Channel 4 in the UK.
Gareth Southgate has named his team to face Bosnia & Herzegovina in Newcastle in the Three Lions' first warm-up game ahead of the EUROs.
Kieran Trippier will captain the team on his home ground, while there's a start for Cole Palmer in attack. Crystal Palace duo Marc Guehi and Ebere Eze are both named in the line-up for what will be a first senior meeting with Bosnia & Herzegovina.
England: 1 Jordan Pickford, 2 Kieran Tripper (c), 3 Ezri Konsa, 4 Conor Gallagher, 5 Lewis Dunk, 6 Marc Guehi, 7 Cole Palmer, 8 Trent Alexander-Arnold, 9 Ollie Watkins, 10 Ebere Eze, 11 Jarrod Bowen
Substitutes: 12 Joe Gomez, 13 Aaron Ramsdale, 14 Jarrad Branthwaite, 15 Jarell Quansah, 16 Declan Rice, 17 Ivan Toney, 18 Jack Grealish, 19 James Maddison, 20 Harry Kane, 21 Curtis Jones, 22 Dean Henderson, 23 Adam Wharton, 24 James Trafford
Cole Palmer’s first senior England goal and a stunning Trent Alexander-Arnold strike helped England to a 3-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina at St. James’ Park.
Palmer converted from the spot on the hour mark to give the Three Lions the lead before late efforts from Trent Alexander-Arnold and Harry Kane added the shine on victory in the first-ever meeting between the two sides, as England opened their preparations for Euro 2024 with a win.
The Three Lions controlled the game throughout but were made to be patient for a breakthrough in Newcastle until Palmer slotted home from the spot after Ezri Konsa was fouled.
Alexander-Arnold then sewed up victory with a superb volleyed finish from inside the box and Kane added a third from close range as the clock ticked towards 90 minutes.
England dominated proceedings early on and had their first sight of goal after 10 minutes as Palmer slipped Ollie Watkins through in the box, but the striker’s effort was well-saved by Nikola Vasilj.
Palmer was involved again in the build-up for the Three Lions’ next sight of goal, receiving the ball deep in Bosnian territory after slick feet from debutant Eberechi Eze, but Conor Gallagher’s shot was wide of the target.
Vasilj was called into action again soon after, as he denied Konsa from close range with his feet following a loose ball in the box from a corner.
The visitors saw little of the ball in the England half but almost took the lead five minutes before half time, when Haris Hajradinovic pounced on a loose pass but his shot was deflected wide of Jordan Pickford’s post.
But it was England who ended the first half on the front foot, as Palmer tested Vasilj with a shot from the edge of the box that was comfortably held by the goalkeeper.
Vasilj was involved again inside four minutes of the restart as he was forced to come off his line and clear after an excellent through ball from Alexander-Arnold almost found the onrushing Watkins.
England upped the tempo after the break and Alexander-Arnold created another chance as he found Palmer in the box, whose shot was deflected wide.
The Three Lions continued their dominance and Konsa earned a penalty from a corner after Ermin Bicakcic pulled his shirt.
The spot kick was cooly converted by Palmer for his first senior England goal to give England the lead on the hour mark.
Gareth Southgate made a flurry of changes following the goal and debutant Adam Wharton almost had an immediate impact off the bench, with his whipped cross almost headed home by Jarrod Bowen.
Fellow substitute Harry Kane then had his first sight of goal, heading just wide at the back post after getting on the end of a Konsa cross.
The Three Lions’ all-time top scorer then forced the best save of the night from Vasilj, firing a rasping drive after rolling his defender which was palmed away by the keeper.
It was almost 2-0 with 10 minutes remaining as a raking cross-field pass from Alexander-Arnold released Jack Grealish who found James Maddison but the latter could only slide his effort wide.
Alexander-Arnold then got England’s second goal of the evening in sublime style, volleying home Grealish’s cross into the bottom corner for his third Three Lions goal.
Kane grabbed a third just minutes later, as the visitors failed to clear a ball in the box and the England captain scrambled the ball home from just a few yards out.
England: 1 Jordan Pickford (Everton), 2 Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United), 3 Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), 4 Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), 5 Lewis Dunk (Brighton & Hove Albion), 6 Marc Guéhi (Crystal Palace), 7 Cole Palmer (Chelsea), 8 Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), 9 Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa), 10 Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), 11 Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United)
Substitutes: 20 Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) for Watkins 61’, 18 Jack Grealish (Manchester City) for Palmer 62’, 23 Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace) for Trippier 62’, 14 Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton) for Guéhi 62’, 12 Joe Gomez (Liverpool) for Konsa 73’
Subs not used: 13 Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal), 15 Jarell Quansah (Liverpool), 16 Declan Rice (Arsenal), 17 Ivan Toney (Brentford), 19 James Maddison (Tottenham Hotspur), 21 Curtis Jones (Liverpool), 22 Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), 24 James Trafford (Burnley)
Goals: Palmer 60’, Alexander-Arnold 85’, Kane 89’
Yellow Cards: Guéhi, Branthwaite
Bosnia and Herzegovina: 1 Nikola Vasilj, 4 Ermin Bicakcic, 6 Benjamin Tahirovic, 8 Armin Gigovic, 10 Ermedin Demirovic, 14 Dario Saric, 16 Anel Ahmedhodzic, 18 Nikola Katic, 20 Haris Hajradinovic, 21 Stjepan Radeljic, 24 Jusuf Gazibegovic
Substitutes: 7 Denis Huseinbasic for Saric 63’, 15 Nihad Mujakic for Bicakcic 74’, 9 Haris Tabakovic for Demirovic, 3 Dennis Hadzikadunic for Radeljic 74’, 23 Tarik Muharemovic for Ahmedhodzic 82’, 17 Dzenis Burnic for Gigovic 82’
Subs not used: 11 Edin Dzeko, 12 Osman Hadzikic, 19 Madzid Sosic, 22 Kenan Piric,
Goals:
Yellow Cards: Tahirovic, Gazibegovic
