Kane’s German advantage as England face Ukraine in EURO qualifiers
England are taking on Ukraine in Poland tonight as qualifying for Euro 2024 continues with a meeting at the Tarczynski Arena between the top two sides in Group C.
Gareth Southgate’s side already have four wins from four games on the board and sit atop Group C, and victory here over second-placed Ukraine would almost guarantee qualification for the tournament in Germany next summer. This is England’s only competitive match of the September international break, with a friendly against Scotland to come next week.
Ukraine are having to stage the fixture in the Polish city of Wroclaw due to the ongoing war at home following Russia’s invasion of the country. They are in a tussle with European champions Italy to take the group’s second automatic qualification spot. Ukraine come into the game with six points from three games, while Italy – who take on North Macedonia later tonight – have three points from two fixtures so far.
Follow all the latest from Ukraine vs England below.
31mins: England continue to press without creating anything clear-cut. Maddison is dropping into midfield more, trying to create something.
Chris Wilson9 September 2023 17:32
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.
Chris Wilson9 September 2023 17:30
Goal! Ukraine 1-0 England
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.
Chris Wilson9 September 2023 17:28
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.
Chris Wilson9 September 2023 17:25
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.
Chris Wilson9 September 2023 17:22
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.
Chris Wilson9 September 2023 17:18
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.
Chris Wilson9 September 2023 17:15
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.
Chris Wilson9 September 2023 17:12
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.
Chris Wilson9 September 2023 17:08
Ukraine 0-0 England
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.
Chris Wilson9 September 2023 17:04