After all that is going on in their own country, it was such a delight to welcome the Ukraine National team to Wembley Stadium, and what a welcome the fans gave both teams! It was a very emotional build up to the actual match, but it was important, especially for England to focus on the job in hand. As it turned out they were not distracted.

Gareth Southgate made several changes to the team that won so well in Italy three days earlier, but such is the squad strength, he was able to bring in plenty of talent. The match began tentatively, and it was all a bit scrappy in the early stages. One Ukrainian shot was blocked before being collected by Jordan Pickford, and Harry Kane went down in the box, though nothing was given. On ten minutes a free-kick from James Maddison was cleared by the defence, and on the counter, only swift defensive cover by Kyle Walker stopped a dangerous break.

Neither side could find any real rhythm in these early exchanges although two attacks by Ukraine ended with shots well wide, although the second effort was offside anyway. A shot came in at the other end and the goalkeeper, Anatoliy Trubin fumbled it giving Maddison the chance to follow up. The keeper recovered to dive on the ball as the Leicester player challenged, and was injured in the process. A free- kick was given against Maddison, which seemed harsh. On 19 minutes England had their first real effort on goal as Jordan Henderson won a corner and the kick was cleared to Ben Chilwell who promptly centred back into the middle where Kane managed to get in a header. Again, it was an easy save for the keeper.

It was obvious that Ukraine would defend in numbers and then looked to counter- attack quickly. Most of the play was still a bit scrappy, with passes going astray from both teams. Then a real chance for Kane as Henderson’s cross came in from the right only for Kane to miss the ball completely when he might have done better. Kane fell over, and when Jude Bellingham returned the ball across goal, Kane almost turned the ball into the net from a prone position. Then a good exchange between Walker and Bukayo Saka almost opened the Ukrainians up but a free-kick was awarded. When the cross came in, Kane was again there, but this time he shot over, although replays suggested he would have been given offside had it gone to VAR. Kane was yet to find his shooting boots at this point.

It was sometimes painful to watch when Chilwell had possession as it was a case of 10% of his passes going forwards, and the other 90% went back towards his own goal. He did improve that ratio later.

There was a sense after the half-hour that England were starting to find their feet and in one attack on 36 minutes, three shots were fired in in quick succession, but all were blocked by a determined defensive unit. A minute later though, and England found a way through. Saka, who was increasingly influential, was found by a great pass from Kane wide on the right. Saka then sent over a fine cross to the far post, and there was Kane, yet again, to finish with a close range shot as he followed up. It was number 55 for the ‘Golden Boy’ as he increased his goals tally for England once more. Two minutes later and England struck again.​

Kane fed Henderson and the Liverpool player found Saka, wide on the right, but just itching to attack the defenders. This time the Arsenal man cut inside and curled the most exquisite left-footer into the far top corner for one of the best England goals seen at Wembley for a long time. Immediately, Kane was in again, but this time Trubin saved his shot. As the half drew to a close England superiority was beginning to show more clearly and although Mykhailo Mudryk fired a shot wide there was little danger for Pickford. To their eternal credit the Ukrainian fans in the stadium made for an electric atmosphere and although their side were 2-0 down, they cheered them all the way.

England started the second-half on the front foot and Bellingham, Saka and Maddison all featured prominently in some good and clever attacks. At the other end the home defence was in command and it must be said that Ukraine had little effect up front. There was one decent attack, defended well by John Stones, and then, straight up the other end and another cross by Saka should have been converted by Bellingham.

You sensed that if England scored the next goal the match would be over, but try as they might, they could not force that third goal, despite being in total control of the game. Credit though, does go to Ukraine, who never gave up and battled right to the end. How could they not, when their crowd were so passionately encouraging. There were some near misses, especially when a good free-kick routine set Saka up for another curler, but this time it flew well over the top. Substitutes for both sides came on to try and freshen things up, but England’s control meant that nothing much changed. Ivan Toney came on for Kane and he immediately flicked the ball on to Saka, but then Maddison mis-controlled the ball and the chance was lost. Jack Grealish and Conor Gallagher came on for Bellingham and Maddison, who had both played well, and Gallagher’s first touch almost brought a goal but the goalkeeper saved well. Right at the end Harry Maguire had a free header from a corner but headed over when it seemed easier to score.

Grealish also went close with one good effort, whilst at the other end Ukraine’s powder-puff attack could make no impression on the England defence. My man of the match was Kyle Walker who I thought had an excellent game, combining well with Saka, and also defending expertly at times. He was always ready to take possession too. Another good win for England, and just the tonic to back up the fine win in Italy.
 

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