WELCOME TO WARSAW
It’s the final round of World Cup qualifying games for this international break, and we’re at the PGE Narodowy for live coverage of England’s match with Poland.
Back-to-back 4-0 wins have gone some way to healing the heartbreak of the Euros and have left the Three Lions in pole position in Group I – but the Poles that await this evening will be the toughest test yet for Gareth Southgate’s men.
England squeezed past the White and Reds at Wembley in March thanks to a late Harry Maguire winner, but the visitors that night were without their talismanic striker, Robert Lewandowski.
Now, the Bayern Munich hitman is back and doing what he does best: bagging goals for fun; he’s opened the scoring in each of Poland’s wins against Albania and San Marino in the past six days.
The 33-year-old is sure to keep the English defence on their toes, as may a newcomer to the international scene. Adam Buksa netted a hat-trick as a second half substitute in Sunday’s success in Serravalle to make it four goals from his first two caps.
The group leaders should at least be well-rested for the trip to the Polish capital, having enjoyed the luxury of being able to make 11 changes for the weekend thumping of Andorra.
Jesse Lingard and Bukayo Saka staked claims for keeping their places with eye-catching displays but, otherwise, England’s head coach is expected to revert to the side that won so convincingly in Hungary on Thursday.
Another England victory will leave them with one foot on the plane to Qatar 2022, and help to boost Southgate’s bargaining position as contract talks with the FA over his role continue.
Stay with us for all the build-up ahead of tonight’s 7.45pm kick-off including the all-important team news that is due shortly.
