Ukraine vs England LIVE: Euro 2024 qualifying latest updates as Kyle Walker equalises after Zinchenko goal
Follow all the action as the top two in Group C go head to head in Wroclaw, Poland
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Qualification may be a formality for England but a 1-1 draw against Ukraine showed that Gareth Southgate’s team selection isn’t. The manager has a few issues to work out if they are to meet this great challenge to become trophy winners next summer. This match must still be framed by the fervour of the nominal home team, as an admirable Ukrainian side turned the fervour of the tens of thousands who travelled to the Wroclaw Stadium in Poland into a fine performance.
That raised this entire occasion way beyond a European Championship qualifier, and into something much more special, that often felt like a privilege to witness. The moment of Zinchenko’s opening goal was uplifting.
It is why England could perhaps be forgiven for getting caught a little cold in a game they would have seen as just one more step to an inevitable qualification. This was something else for Ukraine. It was a national event.
Follow all the latest reaction after Ukraine vs England below.
Ukrainian national anthem
An emotional moment for the fans and players, who are draped in Ukrainian flags, as the Ukrainian national anthem is greeted by raised flags and scarves.
Ukraine fans in full voice for their ‘home’ game
Unsurprisingly, the vast majority of fans in attendance are Ukrainian, with around 40,000 ‘home’ fans expected to attend despite the game being in Poland.
The teams have lined up, and we begin with England national anthem.
Ukraine face a nervous battle for qualification
While Ukraine are currently sitting in second place in Group C on six points, they’ll be wary that Italy – winners of the last tournament – have only played two games so far in qualification (they currently have just three points).
Only the top two teams from each group qualify automatically, so Ukraine will be looking over their shoulders. Italy play Macedonia in Skopje at 7.45pm BST this evening.
Several players looking to make an impact
A few players will be surprised to see themselves on the bench today, with Southgate opting for many of the players that he has trusted throughout his tenure.
Phil Foden has made an impressive start to the season after injury to Kevin de Bruyne, though is being kept out of the side due to the form of Saka and Bellingham.
Marcus Rashford has had a more mixed start to the season, but scored an impressive goal against Arsenal at the weekend, and his performances last season showed that he can be a useful player for England.
Levi Colwill will be keen to continue his impressive rise at the top level.
Levi Colwill: From grassroots to the brink of a Wembley England debut
Levi Colwill could be on the brink of making his England debut having risen from the grassroots
Head-to-head
England have a very good record against Ukraine, with their last loss coming in a World Cup qualifier in 2009.
The Three Lions recorded routine wins in the last two games between the sides, winning 4-0 en route to the Euro 2020 final.
In the last seven games, England have won four, drawn two and lost just one.
Kane looks to add to goalscoring record
While Harry Kane will have to wait to break the Premier League goalscoring record, he’ll be looking to extend his record as England’s leading all-time goalscorer.
The captain has 58 goals in 84 international appearances, with 12 coming in major tournaments. He overtook Wayne Rooney last March with a goal in a 2-1 away win against Italy, the first game of this qualification stage.
England players expect nothing less than winning Euro 2024 according to Southgate
England have had mixed tournament fortune since the 2018, with a disappointing quarter-final exit to France at least year’s World Cup following an agonising defeat to Italy on penalties in the final of Euro 2020.
But Southgate says his player have belief that they will win Euro 2024.
“We’ve got evidence over a long period of time that we should have that belief. Of course, you’ve got to go and deliver it and a lot can happen in terms of availability of players and everything, but for us that has to be the longer-term aim”, he said.
“They have had a lot of success at club level and for a lot of them the missing piece is something with England which they know would be bigger than anything else they have achieved. The whole group are determined on that”.
Ukraine lineup
Ukraine XI: Bushchan, Mykolenko, Matviyienko, Zabarnyi, Konoplia; Zinchenko, Stepanenko, Suadakov; Mudryk, Tsygankov, Yaremchuk
Henderson another player causing controversy
Fresh off the back of his transfer to Saudi Arabian club Al-Effitaq, former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson gave an interview to The Athletic answering questions surrounding the move.
It was controversial for some, and Southgate was questioned on Henderson’s England future. He was quick to highlight that he doesn’t “pick the team based on external reaction”.
“He’s a very experienced professional. He is very mature at handling any situation, really.
“He’s trained really well this week, the whole group have. I’ve been really pleased with the approach to everything”.
Gareth Southgate won’t be swayed by ‘external reaction’ over Jordan Henderson
Henderson has found himself in the spotlight following his move to Saudi team Al-Ettifaq.
Maguire starts despite being overlooked at Manchester United
One of the pre-match talking points was the fate of Harry Maguire in the national side, with the former Manchester United captain finding minutes hard to come by in the league.
However, he starts today after injuries ruled out John Stones and Tyrone Mings. He’ll be itching to impress, with Levi Colwill, Fikayo Tomori and Lewis Dunk all vie for a starting place alongside John Stones at Euro 2024.
Ahead of the game, Southgate said that Maguire has “looked good”.
“Of course he’s a very experienced player and he’s looked very good in training”, he added.
“He knows he has to keep playing well for us and I think over the next few weeks given what’s happening with their (United) squad with injuries he may well have a lot more minutes for them as well”.
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