England vs Ukraine LIVE: Final score and goal updates from Euro 2024 qualifier today
Gareth Southgate is targeting back-to-back wins after England beat Italy on Thursday
England host Ukraine in their next qualifying fixture for Euro 2024 as Gareth Southgate’s men try to make it tow wins from two following their historic victory over Italy last week.
A first win in Italy since 1961 gave Southgate’s team the perfect start to Group C, although the manager was happier with his side’s first half performance rather than the second as they held on for a 2-1 victory with 10 men. “We showed two sides without a doubt,” said the Three Lions boss.
Harry Kane broke the all-time goalscoring record in that outing with a first-half penalty. Calmly despatched by the England captain, it was Kane’s first international match since he missed a second penalty in the quarter-final defeat to France at the World Cup.
Ahead of tonight’s qualifier, more than 1,000 Ukrainians have been invited to Wembley as guests of the FA following Russia’s invasion of the country, with England also planning a display of solidarity before kick off.
Follow all the action as England host Ukraine in the Euro 2024 qualifiers:
Why England’s resilient win over Italy was so significant
A night of historic landmarks in Naples, if also one that quickly went from the easiest of important victories to an immensely difficult test of character.
Harry Kane became England’s record scorer with his 54th international goal, to ensure the national team won in Italy for the first time since 1961, and also claimed their first qualifying win away to a major nation since Germany in 2001.
Any fanciful ideas that this 2-1 would instead be another 5-1 from the first half instead swiftly dissipated, as Italy belatedly displayed why they had the momentum to become defending champions themselves.
After a period when England had showcased all of their best strengths – especially through the brilliance of Jude Bellingham – Italy began to exploit weaknesses, especially at centre-half. Gareth Southgate’s side instead had to find different qualities, but that what was made it a statement for Euro 2024 in itself. Make no mistake, even if England inevitably made a few themselves. This was a seriously good win, as much because of how troubling the second half became.
They all looked relieved at the end, as Italy seemed so deflated. Southgate himself looked like he didn’t want to go through that again. What he must try to recapture, however, is just how commanding England were for that first half.
Why England’s resilient win over Italy was so significant
Italy 1-2 England: Goals by Declan Rice and Harry Kane, who became his country’s record scorer, were enough for victory in Naples despite a tense finale after Luke Shaw’s late red card
England to play with depleted squad against Ukraine
Gareth Southgate says he will not call anyone else up for the national team as England prepare to face Ukraine on Sunday afternoon.
The England manager has 20 players to choose from with left-back Luke Shaw suspended and right-back Reece James withdrawing with an injury.
There are also concerns over the fitness of Jordan Henderson, Jude Bellingham and Kalvin Phillips but Southgate says all three will be available to play.
"We have just about enough to get through this game," said Southgate, "We have been training with this group all week - to call somebody from the outside would be potentially quite complicated.
"We would have no idea where they might be and what their training load has been over the last couple of days. If we were going to do that at this point we would do that with the under-21s."
England vs Ukraine prediction
England are the heavy favourites coming into this match. They hammered Ukraine 4-0 in the last meeting at Euro 2020 and head into the match on the back of a famous victory over Italy in Naples.
Add to that home advantage of playing at Wembley with captain Harry Kane in great form and things will be very difficult for the visitors this evening.
England 3-0 Ukraine.
Predicted England line-up
England XI: Pickford; Trippier, Stones, Maguire, Chilwell; Henderson, Rice, Bellingham; Saka, Kane, Grealish
Phil Foden to miss the match
England have announced that Phil Foden will miss today’s game following surgery to remove his appendix. A statement from the FA reads:
“Phil Foden has been ruled out of this evening’s UEFA EURO 2024 qualifier with Ukraine following surgery to remove his appendix this morning.
“England manager Gareth Southgate has not called up a replacement, meaning he has 20 players to choose from after the earlier withdrawal of Reece James and Luke Shaw’s suspension.”
What is the England team news?
England head into their clash against Ukraine with a depleted squad. Marcus Rashford, Mason Mount and Nick Pope withdrew from the initial selection, with Reece James pulling out of the squad on Saturday for an assessment on what the Football Association called an “ongoing issue”. Phil Foden is also out following surgery to remove his appendix this morning.
Luke Shaw trained with the group on the eve of the game but is suspended following his sending-off for two yellow cards in Italy. Southgate is hopeful they have “just about got enough to get through the game”, downplaying concerns over midfielders Jordan Henderson, Jude Bellingham and Kalvin Phillips.
“They’re all good,” the England boss said. “With Kalvin, (Italy) was his first 90 for a little while. He had 90 at Bristol City in the cup, so we’ll just have to assess freshness as much as anything. “But that’s the same with the whole group. It is that time of the year and we have got to get the balance right of continuity, consistency, but also freshness.”
How to watch England vs Ukraine
The match will kick off at 5pm BST on Sunday 26 March at Wembley.
It will be shown live on Channel 4 in the UK, with coverage starting at 4pm. It will also be available to stream on All 4.
England vs Ukraine
Hello and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s Euro 2024 qualifier which sees England host Ukraine at Wembley.
The Three Lions got their qualifying campaign for next year’s European Championship off to the perfect start when they defeated Italy 2-1 in Naples last Thursday. It was a monumental step for Gareth Southgate’s men as they managed to beat the Azzurri in their own back yard for the first time since 1961.
Now, England are hoping to cement their spot of the top of Group C by also triumphing over Ukraine this afternoon. There are some key personnel missing - Reece James has left the squad through injury and Luke Shaw is suspended - but Southgate should have enough quality to call on to get the job done.
Due to the situation in Ukraine, following Russia’s invasion of the country, it will be an emotional affair with many refugees invited to the match by the FA. Tributes have been planned before kick and no doubt the Ukrainian players, coaches and staff will all receive a warm welcome.
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