Fire breaks out at Andorra's national stadium before England football match

England’s fixture on Saturday night against Andorra is set to go ahead despite a large fire at Estadi Nacional and chaotic scenes on the eve of the World Cup qualifier.

Gareth Southgate’s squad trained at the national stadium hours before the spectacular blaze which started in a TV gantry and scorched the edge of the artificial pitch, while the video assistant referee pitchside monitor and the end of a dugout melted in the heat.

The blaze started when the two-storey gantry was being erected and sparks flew from welding work on the top floor. One technician from ITV was working and fled as the framework for broadcasters was quickly engulfed in flames with thick black smoke billowing into the streets around the stadium.

Staff at the stadium switched on sprinklers to help control the fire, with firefighters arriving at least 20 minutes after it started. The clean-up operation carried on through the afternoon and during Andorra’s training session on the 3G pitch.

“No personal harm has been reported, only material damage,” said an Andorra FA spokesperson. “The schedule will continue as planned and the match will go ahead.”

While the match is expected to go ahead, ITV are broadcasting the game and are no longer sending a commentary team but will cover the game remotely and use a pitchside reporter.

Southgate confirmed Kieran Trippier will captain the team as they look to take a step towards Qatar with victory against the team ranked 156th in the world. Ben Chilwell is also in line for a first start since March after getting recalled to the squad this week.

All players trained on the plastic pitch, which has been relaid since Gareth Bale called it "by far the worst I've ever played on" when Wales visited in 2014.

The material used to make the 3G surface is fire retardant which may have helped the situation when the fire broke out mid-afternoon.

Southgate, his players and Football Association officials travelling in the team’s Covid-secure bubble had left the stadium by that point and were attempting to establish whether the match in the Pyrenees was in danger.

Just before his team trained on the pitch, Andorra coach Koldo Álvarez also confirmed the match would go ahead. His players used the surface to train, apart from a section next to where the fire started.

"The people that are in charge are arranging it and what we have to do is congratulate everyone that there is no personal harm and we have no doubt that we will be able to play,” he said.

Trippier to captain England for second time

Kieran Trippier cannot wait to lead England out in front of fans for the first time, with the right-back grateful to Southgate for his continued support as he prepares to skipper the side against Andorra.

The 31-year-old has established himself as a key component of the Three Lions set-up since making his debut in a friendly against France in 2017.

Trippier shone in the run to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals and will win his 35th cap in Saturday's World Cup qualifier in Andorra, where Southgate confirmed the Atletico Madrid right-back will wear the captain's armband.

The full-back skippered the national team in a friendly against Wales this time last year, but this will be the first time he will captain England in front of supporters.

"Unbelievable feeling," Trippier said. "As a player to captain your country is one of my best feelings, one of the proudest moments of my career.

"Hopefully I can follow that up with a win but I'm speechless, really, to captain my country and lead the boys out. You know obviously something I'll never ever forget.

"As a player it's always good to have a manager who trusts in you, no matter where you play on the pitch.

"I've been with Gareth now nearly since he took charge so I try to repay that by my performances.

"If I play or if I don't play, I try to help my team-mates, to encourage my team-mates, especially as we've got a young squad.

"But I can only thank Gareth for what he's done for me on and off the pitch, and the trust that he has in me personally to name me captain. It's a surreal moment."