Ukraine 1-1 England: Kyle Walker off the mark, Phil Foden spurns his chance but James Maddison offers promise
England hit a rare bump on the road to next year’s European Championship as Kyle Walker’s first international goal secured Gareth Southgate’s side a 1-1 draw against Ukraine in Poland
Saturday 9 September 2023 20:00, UK
At the Tarczynski Arena, where world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk beat Daniel Dubois a fortnight ago, there was no Ukrainian knockout blow against English opposition this time — but a truly heroic effort.
Having opened Group C with four wins from as many matches, it has long looked a case of when rather than if Euro 2020 runners-up England seal their place at next summer's tournament in Germany.
The Three Lions had won 21 of their previous 22 Euros qualifiers but had to make do with a point on Saturday evening having failed to build on Walker brilliantly cancelling out Oleksandr Zinchenko's opener.
Sky Sports takes a look at the key talking points from Wroclaw...
Make no mistake, this was James Maddison's true arrival at international level. His senior debut back in March against Ukraine before his second cap in the 4-0 trouncing of Malta back in June represented something of a soft launch while still a Leicester player.
It is now three games in four matches that Southgate has opted for Maddison, Bukayo Saka and Harry Kane as his front three — but this was different.
Maddison was the marquee buy for Tottenham over the summer and his early-season form left Gareth Southgate with little choice but to start him in Poland. Like in his previous two appearances under the England manager, he was provisionally played off the left wing in a slightly higher position to the one used by Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou.
How the teams lined up
Euro 2024 Qualifying tables
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