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.
England team news
James Maddison will be one of the happiest players starting tonight, having been rewarded for a string of impressive starts for new club Tottenham Hotspur. The former Leicester man has two goals and two assists so far this term.
Ben Chilwell has benefitted from the injury to Luke Shaw despite Chelsea’s mixed form, while Marc Guehi will be delighted with an international start.
Arsenal teammates Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka will have been two of the first names on the team sheet, and forward Eddie Nketiah will be desperate to get his first England cap.
One player who will likely be relied on this evening is Jude Bellingham. The promising youngster made his own £100m move over summer, joining Real Madrid.
And he has certainly adapted quickly, scoring five goals in four games for LosBlancos, including a 95th-minute winner against Getafe at the weekend in what was his home debut.
Ahead of the game, Gareth Southgate called the midfielder a “one-of-a-kind” player.
Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham is one of a kind, says Gareth Southgate
The manager praised Bellingham’s mentality and said he can be the first Jude Bellingham rather than a copy of past greats
England lineup
England XI: Pickford, Walker, Maguire, Guehi, Chillwell; Henderson, Rice, Maddison, Bellingham; Kane, Saka
Kane admits it ‘hurt’ watching England peers win titles
Ahead of his first England game since his high-profile move to Bayern Munich in the summer, Kane has told of how it ‘hurt’ to watch other English teams winning trophies as Tottenham were struggling.
“As a competitor, when the boys are playing the Champions League and I am just sitting at home watching it, I would be lying if I said there wasn’t a part of me that hurt”, said the England captain.
Kane, who joined Bayern Munich in a deal that could be worth around £100m, added that “it does motivate me to go on and try to push myself towards some of those trophies the guys have got”.
Harry Kane admits it ‘hurt’ watching England peers win titles while Tottenham toiled
Kane is enjoying the added pressure at Bayern Munich
“I felt like I had to be playing Champions League football and competing for titles each year. Bayern Munich definitely gives me that”.
How Group C is looking ahead of kick-off
England currently lead Group C ahead of today’s hosts, winning each of their games and scoring 15 goals in the process.
Ukraine have six points from their three games, having beaten North Macedonia and Malta. They will play Italy – who currently sit third on three points – on 12 September in Milan.
England’s next qualifier will be against the Italians too, on 17 October at Wembley.
Southgate expects a partisan atmosphere in Poland
Here’s Gareth Southgate speaking ahead of today’s match. Can the Three Lions go one step closer to Euro 2024 qualification?
Ukraine vs England prediction
England have dominated Group C during this qualifying campaign and will once again get the better of Ukraine despite missing a few key players. An impressive victory will all but confirm their place at next summer’s Euros.
England 3-0 Ukraine
Predicted England line-up
England XI: Pickford, Walker, Guehi, Maguire, Chilwell; Rice, Henderson, Bellingham; Saka, Kane, Rashford
What is the England team news?
England have a few notable absentees during this international break, with John Stones and Luke Shaw two usual starters who miss out through injury.
New Chelsea captain Reece James is also injured, as is former teammate and Manchester United summer signing Mason Mount. Trent Alexander-Arnold, who was listed as a midfielder in the squad list, pulled out earlier this week, as did Manchester City winger Jack Grealish.
Gareth Southgate will still be expecting a positive result in Poland despite some being missing, with Jude Bellingham and captain Harry Kane having adapted especially well to their moves to Real Madrid and Bayern Munich respectively.
How to watch Ukraine vs England
The match will kick off at 5pm BST on Saturday 9 September at the Tarczynski Arena in Wroclaw, Poland (6pm local time).
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.
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