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.
Qualification a formality but England still have issues to fix to triumph at Euro 2024
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
Ukraine 1-1 England: Kyle Walker scores his first-ever senior international goal after Oleksandr Zinchenko hit the opener
FT: Ukraine 1-1 England
England’s next game will be against Scotland, in a friendly at Hampden Park on 12 September.
The Scots are flying in qualification, sitting top of Group A, nine points ahead of Spain.
Southgate says that they’re playing well and are difficult to score goals against.
“We’ve got to reflect on tonight and improve the performance”, he adds.
Kane speaks to Channel 4
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
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
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
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
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
Ukraine 1-1 England: Kyle Walker scores his first-ever senior international goal after Oleksandr Zinchenko hit the opener
FT: Ukraine 1-1 England
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
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.
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