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.
Ukraine vs England
-
England lead Group C with Ukraine and Italy giving chase
-
Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham is one of a kind, says England manager Gareth Southgate
-
GOAL! Zinchenko finishes flowing move to score opener (1-0, 25’)
-
GOAL! Kyle Walker scores his first England goal to level (1-1, 40’)
Ukraine 1 – 1 England
Kane speaks to Channel 4
19:42 , Chris Wilson
Kane states that the dressing rooms is a little disappointed, but says that good teams come away with a result even when they aren’t playing well.
He says that he’s so happy for Walker, and that dropping deep “is a huge part” of his game.
“I need to be on the ball to make things happen. I can hurt opposition with my passing.
“We all have different aspects to our game, as attacking players especially”.
He finishes by saying England have great attacking depth, but sometimes you have games like today.
Southgate’s post-match comments
19:40 , Chris Wilson
Southgate says that England didn’t create enough with the chances they had.
“Our attacking play just didn’t click today, but you’ve got to make sure you don’t leave yourselves exposed in those moments.
“We controlled the game, they had a few counter-attacks, if anyone was going to win it I felt it would be us”.
On Walker, he says he was “exceptional. He used the ball well, he’s a really important player in our group”.
He says that Ukraine defended well, and that England have to “keep working on those attacking patterns. We know that our play can be better than it was today”.
Zinchenko reacts to the result
19:33 , Chris Wilson
Zinchenko calls the result “amazing” for Ukraine, saying that the team did well in general.
He says the goal was “amazing team play”, adding that he was “a bit lucky”.
“The atmosphere was unbelievable, we felt like we played at home.
“A massive thanks for all the support. I really hope that we can play at home very soon”.
He calls the England player amazing players but also great human beings, finishing by saying that Ukraine have to take it “step by step, game by game”.
Reaction from Rebrov
19:28 , Chris Wilson
Ukraine manager Serhiy Rebrov says that he think his team deserved the point today.
“England was very strong, but control is not enough. They didn’t create lots of chances because we defended very well.
“I’m happy. We have to think about ourselves, and I think we showed a good game”, he adds.
He says that the team’s character is the most important thing to take from that game.
“We are changing. Any coach needs time. With time, players will believe in what we’re trying”.
Qualification a formality but England still have issues to fix to triumph at Euro 2024
19:24 , Karl Matchett
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.
If Gareth Southgate is to turn Euro 2024 into a national event of England’s own, as he spent much of the build-up to the game talking, he does have issues that this game highlighted. The formation didn’t work with these players. James Maddison was wasted on the flank, and he needs another role to really maximise Jude Bellingham.
Qualification a formality but England have issues to fix to triumph at Euro 2024
FT: Ukraine 1-1 England
19:15 , Chris Wilson
Ukraine scored from their only shot on target. England only had four, with 69 per cent possession to Ukraine’s 31 per cent.
Ukraine’s goal was probably the best move of the game, and their game plan worked a treat.
Walker speaks to the media
19:05 , Chris Wilson
Walker is speaking to Channel 4, and says that his first England goal is a “relief”.
“I can tick that off, I’ve done it.
“I’ve seen the gap and luckily he’s found me, and I’ve put it away”, he adds.
“We just need the best Harry Kane, and hopefully that’ll see us in good stead in the summer”.
He says that sometimes you “just have these nights”, especially against “a good Ukraine side”. He finishes by wishing the entire country the best for the future.
FT: Ukraine 1-1 England
19:05 , Chris Wilson
FT: Ukraine 1-1 England
18:59 , Chris Wilson
That result puts England on 13 points in Group C, with Ukraine in second on seven.
Italy are third but have only played two games so far; those matches against Ukraine are going to be vital for automatic qualification.
Full-time: Ukraine 1-1 England
18:54 , Chris Wilson
The referee blows the whistle and it finishes 1-1. A good result for Ukraine in their bid for Euro 2024 qualification, and the fans are celebrating accordingly.
Not a bad result for England given their position, but it was far from a classic. Those sorts of performances have become fairly common under Southgate in qualifying; fortunately England tend to take it up a notch in tournaments.
Ukraine 1-1 England
18:52 , Chris Wilson
94mins: The game is fizzing out as we approach the end, with England probing without any real danger.
Ukraine 1-1 England
18:50 , Chris Wilson
92mins: England are still pressing for a winner, even though a draw would be by no means a bad result.
We’re entering the last part of stoppage time.
Ukraine 1-1 England
18:48 , Chris Wilson
90mins: There’ll be four minutes of added time, perhaps indicative of the lack of major events in this half.
Ukraine 1-1 England
18:47 , Chris Wilson
88mins: Ukraine definitely aren’t settling for the draw, breaking forward before Walker wins the ball off Mudryk. The hosts just haven’t quite had the quality to make the most of their counters.
That’s Mudryk’s last action of the game, as he is replaced by Nazaryna. Overall, a disappointing performance from the Chelsea man.
Ukraine 1-1 England
18:43 , Chris Wilson
85mins: There’s a mix up from the free-kick and the ball almost breaks to Maguire, but the centre-back commits a foul on Bushchan.
Saka is replaced by Conor Gallagher. He had a quiet day compared to his usual standards.
Ukraine 1-1 England
18:41 , Chris Wilson
84mins: England have a free-kick on the edge of the box. The Ukraine fans are in full voice as they sense a good result coming.
Ukraine 1-1 England
18:39 , Chris Wilson
81mins: Overall, the performance has just lacked quality from England. There’s plenty of ability on the pitch, but no verve, nobody wanting to take a risk.
Ukraine have managed to stifle England, but the lack of runs in-behind – or general movement, really – have made it easy for them.
Ukraine 1-1 England
18:36 , Chris Wilson
78mins: Buyalskyi buys a free-kick from Foden, but the delivery from Mudryk is wasteful.
Ukraine 1-1 England
18:33 , Chris Wilson
74mins: The game is becoming a bit sloppy, with misplaced passes aplenty.
Ukraine make another change, with Zinchenko coming off for Buyalskyi.
Ukraine 1-1 England
18:30 , Chris Wilson
72mins: The resulting corner leads to a tame header from Maguire. Soon after, Rashford beats two men on the left, but his cross goes straight out of play.
Ukraine 1-1 England
18:28 , Chris Wilson
70mins: England counter from a Ukraine corner, and though Rashford is lucky to get away with a challenge on the edge of the box, England have a corner after Kane’s cross is deflected out of play.
Mudryk is currently down after the challenge from Rashford.
Ukraine 1-1 England
18:26 , Chris Wilson
67mins: This is the sort of game that should suit Rashford’s pace, while the incisiveness of Foden is always welcome. Ukraine have started to grow into the half much like they did the first, and they’re enjoying a bit of sustained possession here.
Ukraine 1-1 England
18:24 , Chris Wilson
65mins: England decide to make a couple of attacking changes too. Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden replace Jude Bellingham and James Maddison.
Neither will be delighted with their performances; both were just about on the periphery all game.
Ukraine 1-1 England
18:22 , Chris Wilson
64mins: Another substitution for Ukraine, this time a double change.
Dovbyk and Sydorchuk replace Yaremchuk and Sudakov.
Ukraine 1-1 England
18:20 , Chris Wilson
62mins: England are really dominating now, with all 11 men behind the ball for Ukraine.
Saka cuts in again and hits another shot which is blocked – he thinks it’s a penalty, but the VAR check disagrees.
Ukraine 1-1 England
18:18 , Chris Wilson
59mins: Close! Almost a Saka special, as he cuts in on his left and hits a shot which is saved onto the bar.
Eberechi Eze and Kalvin Phillips are among the subs warming up as England look for another goal.
Ukraine 1-1 England
18:13 , Chris Wilson
55mins: Plenty of nice touches from England, but the final ball is still missing.
Maddison was found in space earlier, and his pass to Saka was followed by a ball to the overlapping Henderson, but his resulting cross was inaccurate and went out for a corner.
The delivery is a promising one but no red shirt can find its way on to it.
Ukraine 1-1 England
18:08 , Chris Wilson
51mins: Kane is fouled around 35 yards out, and Maddison lines up the free-kick.
He squares it to Kyle Walker, whose cross finds Harry Maguire. The former United captain can only head it harmlessly over the bar.
Ukraine 1-1 England
18:05 , Chris Wilson
48mins: England starting the second half how they started the first, dominating possession but not being incisive.
Henderson finds Bellingham with a cross, but the Madrid man can’t get any power on the header.
HT Ukraine 1-1 England
18:02 , Chris Wilson
The teams are coming back out now, and it looks like Ukraine are making a chance.
Serhiy Kryvstov comes on for Matviyenko.
HT Ukraine 1-1 England
18:00 , Chris Wilson
England’s goal was set up by a man who is the country’s all-time top goalscorer, and scored by a man who had never been on the scoresheet for England.
Kyle Walker’s first England goal comes from Harry Kane’s 19th assist.
Half-time: Ukraine 1-1 England
17:48 , Chris Wilson
After a laboured start that threatened to cause a sour end to the first half, England will be happy to end the half level.
A well-worked goal from Ukraine was cancelled out by a touch of class from Harry Kane and a composed touch and finish by Walker, but England will want to perform far better in the second period.
17:47 , Chris Wilson
45mins: Just one minute of added time at the end of the first half. Saka sends a cross to Kane, but the captain can only head it back across goal and there’s no one waiting.
Goal! Ukraine 1-1 England (Walker, 40)
17:44 , Chris Wilson
40mins: It looks like another laboured move from England, with Kane holding the ball near the centre circle. However, he looks up to see Kyle Walker making the run in-behind, and finds him with a lovely lofted pass.
The right-back takes the ball down well, waits for the ball to bounce and pokes it past the keeper, and after a brief VAR check the goal stands.
Ukraine 1-0 England
17:37 , Chris Wilson
35mins: Maddison is almost through in goal after Henderson intercepts a loose ball, but he miscontrols the pass from Bellingham. He’d got in between the two centre-backs there.
Ukraine 1-0 England
17:35 , Chris Wilson
34mins: James Maddison is yellow carded for a late challenge on Zabarnyi, after England felt like they should have received a couple of free-kicks.
Ukraine 1-0 England
17:34 , Chris Wilson
32 mins: An England throw-in near Ukraine’s box ends up back at the feet of Jordan Pickford, which is perhaps an illustration of how this game is going for England.
Ukraine 1-0 England
17:32 , Chris Wilson
31mins: England continue to press without creating anything clear-cut. Maddison is dropping into midfield more, trying to create something.
Ukraine 1-0 England
17:30 , Chris Wilson
27mins: The goal seems to have woken England up a bit. Kane almost has a shooting opportunity from inside the box, before Bellingham and Henderson combine and the former Liverpool captain sends a shot over the bar from outside the box.
Goal! Ukraine 1-0 England (Zinchenko, 25)
17:28 , Chris Wilson
26mins: And Ukraine are ahead! The move began in their own half, with Konoplia overlapping Tsygankov and the full-back cutting it back for Oleksandr Zinchenko. The Arsenal man makes no mistake, and it’s a huge moment for Ukraine.
Ukraine 0-0 England
17:25 , Chris Wilson
24 mins: Ukraine are knocking it around nicely now, stringing a few passes together on the edge of the England box before a wasteful pass, but they have possession again quickly.
17:22 , Chris Wilson
20mins: Ukraine’s first venture into the box almost ends in a shooting chance for Mudryk, but Guehi does well to shepherd the ball away.
A laboured first 20 minutes for England.
17:18 , Chris Wilson
15mins: Maddison has been drifting between midfield and the left wing so far, occasionally dropping deep as England’s play has been somewhat static.
Rice is remaining the deepest midfielder, with Henderson and Bellingham drifting.
17:15 , Chris Wilson
13mins: A lovely one-two between Henderson and Bellingham on the edge of the box almost brings a shooting chance.
England are starting to probe more.
17:12 , Chris Wilson
10mins: Ukraine’s first period of sustained possession here, but it ends with Saka intercepting a pass.
Not much has happened so far, though England are looking far more threatening.
17:08 , Chris Wilson
6 mins: First foul of the game as Saka is take down by Mykolenko.
England are keeping possession well, with Ukraine barely having a meaningful touch so far.
Ukraine 0-0 England
17:04 , Chris Wilson
3 mins: England knock the ball about midfield before Bellingham almost finds Saka with a run into the box, but the Arsenal man can’t quite control it and it goes out for a goal kick.
England’s first threatening play.
Kick off! Ukraine 0-0 England
17:01 , Chris Wilson
We’re off in Poland, with England kicking off and holding some early possession.
Ukrainian national anthem
16:58 , Chris Wilson
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
16:56 , Chris Wilson
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
16:52 , Chris Wilson
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
16:45 , Chris Wilson
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
Head-to-head
16:40 , Chris Wilson
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
16:35 , Chris Wilson
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
16:30 , Chris Wilson
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
16:20 , Chris Wilson
Ukraine XI: Bushchan, Mykolenko, Matviyienko, Zabarnyi, Konoplia; Zinchenko, Stepanenko, Suadakov; Mudryk, Tsygankov, Yaremchuk
Henderson another player causing controversy
16:15 , Chris Wilson
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
Maguire starts despite being overlooked at Manchester United
16:10 , Chris Wilson
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”.
England team news
16:05 , Chris Wilson
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.
16:00 , Chris Wilson
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
England lineup
15:52 , Chris Wilson
England XI: Pickford, Walker, Maguire, Guehi, Chillwell; Henderson, Rice, Maddison, Bellingham; Kane, Saka
Kane admits it ‘hurt’ watching England peers win titles
15:50 , Chris Wilson
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
“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
15:45 , Chris Wilson
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
15:40 , Chris Wilson
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
15:35 , Chris Wilson
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
15:30 , Chris Wilson
England XI: Pickford, Walker, Guehi, Maguire, Chilwell; Rice, Henderson, Bellingham; Saka, Kane, Rashford
What is the England team news?
15:25 , Chris Wilson
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
15:20 , Chris Wilson
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.
Ukraine vs England
15:15 , Chris Wilson
Hello and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of this evening’s Euro 2024 qualifier which sees England playing Ukraine at the Tarczynski Arena in Wroclaw.
The Ukrainian national team has been playing home games in Poland since Russia’s invasion began in early 2022, and this match is the return fixture of the match at Wembley in March.
England won that game 2-0 thanks to goals from Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka, and will be hoping for a similar result today knowing that a win will all but guarantee qualification for next summer’s tournament in Germany.
Ukraine vs England LIVE
Saturday 9 September 2023 00:41 , Lawrence Ostlere
Follow all the action from England’s Euro 2024 qualifying match against Ukraine.