England salvage 1-1 draw against Ukraine in Euro 2024 qualifier
England fought back to claim a 1-1 draw in their Euro 2024 qualifier against Ukraine on Saturday, September 9, and stay six points clear atop Group C.
Gareth Southgate’s side trailed to Oleksandr Zinchenko’s first-half strike in the Polish city of Wroclaw. But Walker ensured England maintained their unbeaten Group C record when he netted just before the interval.
The goal came after skipper Harry Kane gathered the ball in midfield and superbly picked out Walker who neatly controlled the ball and slotted home with a composed finish for his first England goal.
No England player had ever featured in as many as Walker’s 77 Three Lions games before finally getting on the scoresheet.
England played more directly after the break and started creating more opportunities, including a Bukayo Saka shot that bounced off the bar.
With about 25 minutes left, Southgate replaced James Maddison and Jude Bellingham with Phil Foden and Marcus Rashford but neither substitute was able to lift England past a resolute Ukraine who played higher up the pitch after halftime.
England spent most of the final moments camped in the Ukraine half, but Southgate’s men had no more answers to the Blue and Yellow’s dogged defending as they failed to make it five wins from five in Group C.
The draw against Ukraine marked the first time England have dropped points in the qualifying campaign. While England’s run of four successive Group C victories have come to an end, they remain on course to qualify for next year’s European Championship.
Southgate’s side are still on top of the section with 13 points ahead of Tuesday’s 150th Anniversary Heritage match against Scotland. Ukraine on the other hand, sit second with seven points ahead of a match with Italy at San Siro in three days time.
