England Dominate Possession But Are Held To A 1-1 Draw Against Ukraine

The Three Lions came from behind to earn a point against Ukraine and keep ahold of top spot in Group C of the European Qualifiers ahead of EURO 2024.

After a dominating first five minutes for England, a dangerous challenge by Vitaliy Mykolenko on Bukayo Saka led to questions about whether he was able to continue. However, the Arsenal starboy played the rest of the game until he was withdrawn in the 86th minute for Conor Gallagher.

Oleksandr Zinchenko received a magnificent pass from Yukhym Konoplia and instantly put the ball past Jordan Pickford, giving Ukraine an unexpected lead 25 minutes in.

15 minutes later, Kyle Walker scored his first England goal following a long pass from captain Harry Kane. After a questionable VAR check for offside in the build-up, the goal stood and the game was level at 1-1.

The first half also included three yellow cards, one for Taras Stepanenko after a rough foul on James Maddison who in turn received the next booking after a dangerous challenge on Illia Zabarni. Roman Yaremchuk received the next following a rough foul on the controversially chosen Jordan Henderson.

Jude Bellingham had a promising header in the first five minutes of the second half but it was comfortably saved by Georgiy Bushchan.

Harry Maguire, who has been another one of the more controversial picks of Gareth Southgate’s squad for these matches due to his poor performances for Manchester United, also had a header not long after that went just wide of the goal.

Bushchan made another important save after Saka had an incredibly close shot that was safely deflected.

Maguire recieved the only yellow of the second half after a collision with Bushchan, and after several attempts from the England side to score, the match fizzled out leaving both sides with a point in their qualifying journeys.

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