England take management of difficult Euro 2024 qualifying group

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LONDON -- Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka scored first-half targets as England beat Ukraine 2-0 at Wembley on Sunday to take management of Euro 2024 qualifying Group C.

Kane broke the impasse on 37 minutes along with his fifty fifth England purpose as he steered dwelling Saka's intelligent right-wing cross earlier than the Arsenal winger doubled the benefit with a elegant effort from exterior the field. Kane obtained a Golden Boot from Soccer Affiliation chair Debbie Hewitt in a pre-match presentation to mark changing into England's all-time high purpose scorer on an emotional afternoon at Wembley as Ukraine's ongoing struggle effort was recognised with each units of gamers calling for peace.

The guests had been unable to hassle England, nonetheless, failing to register a single shot on track as Gareth Southgate's aspect maintained a 100% begin to Group C.

Speedy response

1. England take management of difficult group

Group C appeared a difficult prospect on paper given the presence of the defending European champions (Italy), the highest-rank staff in Pot 3 (Ukraine) and North Macedonia, who beat Italy in a World Cup playoff final yr. But England backed up a powerful win in Naples on Thursday with a cushty afternoon at Wembley, recovering from a gradual begin to rating twice in 4 minutes to successfully finish this as a contest by half-time.

There may be by no means a assure that a global aspect will choose themselves up and go once more after such an agonising event exit just like the one England suffered in Qatar, dropping to France regardless of spells as the higher staff and Kane lacking a penalty that might have in all probability taken the tie into extra-time. Typically, a change of supervisor Is named for. The FA wished Southgate to remain on after the World Cup however he questioned his place partially out of a priority his presence was an impediment to additional progress. This primary camp again collectively is proof the gamers stay united behind him and already they'll have one eye on subsequent summer season's Euro 2024 finals in Germany.

There must be no complacency however a June double-header comprising Malta away and North Macedonia at dwelling represents a great opportunity to log off for the season with the utmost 12 factors, a tally that may go an extended technique to securing one of many two high spots wanted to qualify.

- Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, extra (U.S.)

2. Saka settles one debate ...

It feels unusual now to recommend that not that way back, Saka's place in England's beginning lineup was not a given. Southgate's loyalty to Raheem Sterling meant that Saka was one in all a number of gamers vying for one attacking place alongside Kane, however today the 21-year-old is now one of many first names on Southgate's teamsheet.

England had been ponderous in possession early on right here in opposition to a well-organised aspect, however as they elevated the tempo, Ukraine struggled to manage and Saka was the person who made them pay. Kane's intelligent go out to Saka was rewarded with a elegant cross that the England captain transformed on the far put up for his fifty fifth England purpose. Saka then turned well and curled dwelling a shocking Fortieth-minute effort for his seventh purpose in his previous 12 England begins. The truth is, he's beginning to rack up some severely spectacular statistics: aged 21 years and 202 days, Saka has now scored eight targets for England -- solely Dixie Dean (16), Jimmy Greaves (16), Wayne Rooney (12) and Michael Owen (10) scored extra on the similar age. Saka has ten purpose involvements (seven targets, three assists) in his previous 16 appearances.

Arsenal are counting on Saka to assist lead their Premier League title cost and he's approaching the identical influential standing for England. Given what occurred to him on the delayed Euro 2020 closing lower than two years in the past -- lacking a penalty within the closing and receiving racist on-line abuse because of this -- the exceptional transformation is testomony to his psychological power.

3. ... Whereas Maddison and Grealish battle on the other flank

The twin absences of Sterling and Marcus Rashford on this camp, plus Phil Foden's withdrawal earlier on Sunday after having his appendix eliminated, created an actual alternative throughout these two video games for Jack Grealish and James Maddison to stake a declare for the left-wing place in Southgate's most popular 4-3-3 form.

Grealish was largely ineffective in opposition to Italy, lacking a wonderful likelihood at 2-0 in a way that infuriated his supervisor -- making an attempt a high-risk end with the surface of his boot when a side-foot would have been the higher-percentage method. Maddison was handed his first ever England begin in opposition to Ukraine -- maybe late within the day given the timing of Foden's withdrawal -- and appeared efficient with out displaying the identical penetration as Saka.

Maddison's affect could not have been as eye-catching, however he was substituted 4 minutes from time having created 5 possibilities, probably the most by a participant in his full England debut since Theo Walcott vs. Andorra in September 2008 (six). It's tough to argue with that statistic in isolation. but the chances are Rashford and, in all probability, Sterling stay additional superior within the pecking order. Maximising the alternatives this variety of attacking choices offers stays a welcome conundrum for Southgate however one, on the left aspect not less than, he's arguably no nearer to fixing.

Greatest and worst performers

BEST: Bukayo Saka, England. England wanted a first-half spark and Saka supplied it. A purpose and an help from the Arsenal winger put the house aspect in management.

BEST: Harry Kane, England. One other environment friendly show, hitting the goal with three of his 4 pictures and ending with an ideal 100% go completion fee (12 from 12).

BEST: Ben Chilwell, England. Deputised impressively for Luke Shaw, offering a number of threatening moments down the left.

WORST: Mykhailo Mudryk, Ukraine. Accomplished 14 of his 20 passes and was simply marshalled by Kyle Walker. Substituted on 61 minutes.

WORST: Vitalii Mykolenko, Ukraine. Unable to deal with Saka's motion and was hauled off simply after the hour mark.

WORST: Taras Stepanenko, Ukraine. Gained simply 28.6% of his duels and solely 33.3% of his tackles.

Highlights and notable moments

Creates one purpose after which scores this magnificence himself. All in a day's work for Saka.

After the match: What the gamers/managers mentioned

Jude Bellingham: "It feels like we have a really good atmosphere in the changing room. We want to express ourselves but there's a side of us with a bit of nastiness. We need to cover all sides of the game and I think we're doing that really well at the moment."

Southgate: "Really pleased, really pleased with the performance today. In Italy, we played very well with the ball in the first half. In the second half, we conceded possession cheaply but had to show resilience. We made a difficult game look straightforward. The way in was either through James Maddison or Bukayo Saka. We stuck to the task really well."

Key stats (supplied by ESPN Stats & Info analysis)

- Kane has now scored 17 profession targets in 15 European Championship qualifying video games.

- Kane is the primary participant in historical past to attain in 10 straight European Championship qualifiers.

Up subsequent

England: The Three Lions might be again to Euro 2024 qualifying on June 16, after they journey to Attard for a date with Malta.

Ukraine: Ukraine will subsequent be in motion on June 16 as nicely, with a European Championship qualifier of their very own at North Macedonia.




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