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As it happenedended1507486606

Lithuania vs England, World Cup qualifier live: What time is it, where can I watch it and what is the team news?

Follow live coverage of the World Cup qualifier

Liam Corless
Sunday 08 October 2017 16:58 BST
Comments
(Getty)

England wrap up their successful World Cup qualifying campaign against Lithuania on Sunday, having booked their place at next summer's tournament a game early.

But Gareth Southgate will be eager for his side to put on a performance after their dire home display against Slovenia earlier this week.

Follow live coverage below...

What time is it?

England kick-off their final World Cup qualifying match at 5pm, at the LFF Stadionas in Lithuania.

Where can I watch it?

ITV have the rights to this one, with their coverage set to begin at 4.30pm.

Alternatively, bookmark this page and follow live minute-by-minute updates.

Southgate will be hoping for an improved performance (Getty)

What is the team news?

Jack Butland will start in goal for England in their final World Cup qualifier against Lithuania.

Manager Gareth Southgate announced his decision on Saturday, a day ahead of the game.

Butland replaces Joe Hart, England's regular first-choice goalkeeper, for the last match of England's campaign.

Hart will drop to the bench for the away match (Getty)

England have made sure of their place at the Russia 2018 finals, taking the pressure off the trip to Lithuania and giving Southgate the opportunity to make changes.

Southgate said of Stoke number one Butland: “He has been patient for his opportunity, his form has been good. It's a good opportunity for Jack.”

Dele Alli returns for England, while Southgate is also expected to name the likes of Harry Maguire, Kieran Trippier and Harry Winks in his starting eleven.

What have they been saying?

Lithuania manager Edgaras Jankauskas : “Teams like England are always criticised a bit, even if they win and we saw the match and their ability and the goal they scored at the end showed what fitness levels they have.

“In general criticism is always normal when you have so much media interest and football is so popular.

“I think it shows the level the football is at, even when they are criticised after winning and qualifying for the World Cup.”

Butland has been given the nod (Getty)

England goalkeeper Jack Butland: “My motivation...my desire to keep playing and being as good as I can," the Stoke player said ahead of winning his sixth cap.

“Obviously the injury was a really big setback for me at a point where I thought there was an opportunity for me to take a spot, if you like.

“So, yeah, after coming off the season I had at Stoke to then have that happens was tough and to miss 16 months in the end.

“I was 19 when I made my debut and a hell of a lot has happened since then, ups and downs, but I'm still 24, I am back where I want to play in terms of playing in the Premier League and being in the international set-up.

“What's gone has gone and I'm looking forward to being successful for club and hopefully country as well.”

Expected teams

Lithuania (4-2-3-1): Setkus; Borovskij, Girdvainis, Klimavicius, Andriuskevicius; Zulpa, Slivka; Cernych, Aernas Novikovas; Spalvis

England (3-4-3): Butland; Keane, Stones, Maguire; Trippier, Dier, Winks, Bertrand; Alli, Kane, Sturridge

What are the odds?

Lithuania to win: 4/7
England to win: 7/4
Draw: 10/1

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90' - There will be two minutes of additional time at the end of this second half.

Liam Corless8 October 2017 18:46
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90+1' - A deflected Aaron Cresswell cross ends up at the feet of Daniel Sturridge just yards from goal but his left-footed effort is blocked and the ball goes behind for a corner

Liam Corless8 October 2017 18:47
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Full-time - The referee blows the final whistle in Ljubljana and England end their World Cup qualifying campaign with a win thanks to Harry Kane's first-half penalty.

Player and manager reaction to come...

Liam Corless8 October 2017 18:49
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Post-match reaction from Harry Kane

"It wasn't a fantastic performance. It was a solid one. We had a few chances, not a lot of clear-cut ones, but it's a win to finish off the group.

"We were missing a bit of quality. It was a difficult surface but we have to do better."

Quotes from ITV

Liam Corless8 October 2017 18:56
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Post-match reaction from Gareth Southgate

On the performance: "We wanted to try something. We wanted to give three full debuts and we had encouraging performances from the players that came in but we were missing quality in the final third.

"They had a packed defence and we were just a fraction off on some of the passes. It's a familiar problem that we've faced. Even at 1-0 down the opposition don't come out but next month it will be different (friendlies against Germany and Brazil). The style of the games will be completely different."

On whether he expects to face more criticism after another under-par display: "I think you've got to put today into context. We made seven changes because we wanted to look at different players. We wanted to do that now so that we're already up and running by next month."

On whether he was satisfied with England's performance in a 3-4-3 formation: "In some aspects. I think the goal came from Harry Maguire stepping in and bringing the goal forward which is what we want but I think we're a little bit open to the counter-attacks."

On whether Harry Kane will be England's permanent captain: "I think, importantly, he's scoring goals for us and he's leading from the front. We need that leadership and he's certainly impressed me with everything he's done."

Quotes from ITV

Liam Corless8 October 2017 19:16
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That's all, folks. Thanks for joining us tonight and we'll hopefully see you soon!

Liam Corless8 October 2017 19:16

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