England vs Ukraine LIVE: Final score and goal updates from Euro 2024 qualifier today

England host Ukraine in their next qualifying fixture for Euro 2024 as Gareth Southgate’s men try to make it tow wins from two following their historic victory over Italy last week.

A first win in Italy since 1961 gave Southgate’s team the perfect start to Group C, although the manager was happier with his side’s first half performance rather than the second as they held on for a 2-1 victory with 10 men. “We showed two sides without a doubt,” said the Three Lions boss.

Harry Kane broke the all-time goalscoring record in that outing with a first-half penalty. Calmly despatched by the England captain, it was Kane’s first international match since he missed a second penalty in the quarter-final defeat to France at the World Cup.

Ahead of tonight’s qualifier, more than 1,000 Ukrainians have been invited to Wembley as guests of the FA following Russia’s invasion of the country, with England also planning a display of solidarity before kick off.

Follow all the action as England host Ukraine in the Euro 2024 qualifiers:

England vs Ukraine

• England host Ukraine in the Euro 2024 qualifiers at Wembley

• England’s intelligent schemer Bukayo Saka is becoming a talisman

• Three Lions also won opening match with famous 2-1 victory over Italy in Naples

• 40’ GOAL! - Saka adds a second just before half-time (ENG 1-0 UKR)

• 37’ GOAL! - Kane breaks the deadlock (ENG 1-0 UKR)

England 2 - 0 Ukraine

England’s intelligent schemer Bukayo Saka is becoming a talisman

19:12 , Michael Jones

Wembley brought the lowest moment of Bukayo Saka’s career but Wembley has also witnessed further proof has displayed the strength of character and talent to respond to his Euro 2020 penalty miss. A three-minute double of an assist and a goal put England on the fast track to Euro 2024, just as Saka’s own journey to redemption has been swift. As Arsenal can testify, he has a capacity to be the difference maker and an ability to elevate games with a lovely left foot and his footballing intelligence. It seems equally useful in the international game.

After three goals in the World Cup, Saka’s second in the national stadium for the national team completed a salvo to see off Ukraine. He had been supplier before he was scorer and it was entirely unsurprising who broke the deadlock. Harry Kane’s record of 54 goals for England lasted for three days, before he extended it to 55. He was presented with a golden boot beforehand to mark his achievement in overhauling Wayne Rooney’s tally; his daughters were mascots and it was entirely typical that Kane marked the occasion with a goal. There can be a routine feel to his exploits but, on a day when England were without Marcus Rashford, Mason Mount, Raheem Sterling and Phil Foden, they needed someone to step up.

Men from either half of north London did. If Kane has long since been a talisman, Saka is coming to assume a similar status. Well organised and diligent, Ukraine had survived for 36 minutes with few alarms. Then Tottenham and Arsenal teamed up profitably. It was a particularly long-distance one-two. Kane’s playmaking skills were apparent as he spread play with a diagonal ball to Saka. He whipped in a cross and Kane, arriving in the box, supplied the volleyed finish with his left knee. It was scarcely an elegant finish but records are not secured by elegance alone.

England’s intelligent schemer Bukayo Saka is becoming a talisman

Southgate on Saka and Bellingham

19:35 , Michael Jones

“It is the mentality that is the outstanding part. Everyone can see technical quality but these two boys have the humility and want to learn. They work unbelievably hard and they are a joy to work with.

“It is a top-level finish [from Saka]. That is the ruthless part he has added to his game in the last 18 months or so. There were times you weren’t sure he was going to finish but now he has that confidence in front of goal.”

Reaction from Gareth Southgate

19:32 , Michael Jones

England boss Gareth Southgate, speaking to Channel 4: “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.

“[Maddison and Chilwell] know each other well, they have played together at Leicester and that was helpful. Maddison found the spaces well and he had a super game and that didn’t surprise me as he has the personality to play that way.”

England’s star man

19:24 , Michael Jones

Bukayo Saka, who both scored and assisted against Ukraine, has had a hand in 10 goals in his last 16 games for England in all competitions.

Aged 21 years and 202 days, Bukayo Saka has scored eight goals for England; only Dixie Dean (16), Jimmy Greaves (16), Wayne Rooney (12) and Michael Owen (10) had scored more at Saka’s age.

Full quotes from Jude Bellingham

19:21 , Michael Jones

“It’s important we followed the good result in Italy with a win tonight. It feels rewarding.

“There’s so much I’ve got to learn. I want to win the game in two ends of the pitch. I’ve always wanted to be someone who can do a bit of everything. I have the best chances with the ones in that dressing room. Every chance I get I want to learn about the game.

“A lot of it at Dortmund I’m involved in the build-up more. I always feel I get a sense of where the ball lands and I felt I could have done that better today. It’s all experience learning that. When I’m playing I’m thinking about a million things and where I can be better.

“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.

“That would be the biggest dream and the biggest honour in football I think is to captain your country. There’s a long pecking order that I highly respect and I’ll wait my turn. In the meantime it’s picking up what I can learn from them. This is the best place to do it.

“We should be looking to win every game. You set yourself a standard and an expectation and it’s important you match that. We have to carry that on for the rest of the qualification campaign.”

Reaction from Jude Bellingham

19:15 , Michael Jones

“I’m like a sponge at the moment. Any chance to learn about the game.

“At Dortmund I’m involved in the build-up a bit more. I’m usually good at judging where the ball [would come] but felt today I was a yard away or two away from where the ball was going to drop.

“[Captaining England]It’s the biggest dream, the biggest honour but there’s a long pecking order. I’ll wait my time but it’s all about trying to learn from the guys.”

FT England 2-0 Ukraine

19:09 , Michael Jones

Ukraine didn’t have a single shot on target in this match. This is going to be one of the easier matches for Jordan Pickford in an England shirt.

FT England 2-0 Ukraine

19:03 , Michael Jones

FT England 2-0 Ukraine

19:00 , Michael Jones

Full-time: England 2-0 Ukraine

18:58 , Michael Jones

90+3 mins: A controlled and clinical England get the job done at Wembley. Goals from Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka ensures that the Three Lions continue their winning run in Euro 2024 qualifying.

England are top of Group C with six points from their first two matches and will play Malta and North Macedonia in June.

England 2-0 Ukraine

18:54 , Michael Jones

90 mins: Three minutes of added time to play at the end of the game. England win a corner that gets swung onto the head of Harry Maguire.

He positions himself into space then powers a good headed chance over the crossbar!

England 2-0 Ukraine

18:50 , Michael Jones

88 mins: Save! Ben Chilwell and Jack Grealish link up well on the left side of the pitch with Grealish slipping the ball into the box for the left-back.

Chilwell pulls one back to Conor Gallagher who sidefoots a first time shot at goal and sends his effort straight at Anatoliy Trubin who palms it behind.

England 2-0 Ukraine

18:49 , Michael Jones

86 mins: James Maddison and Jude Bellingham are taken off with around five minutes of the 90 left to play. Conor Gallagher and Jack Grealish are given a run out for the final few minutes.

England are close to securing their spot at the top of qualifying Group C. They’ve got Malta and North Macedonia to come next and will be targeting four wins from four.

England 2-0 Ukraine

18:47 , Michael Jones

83 mins: Zinchenko belts a long ball forward but doesn’t pick out a teammate and the ball bobbles through to Jordan Pickford.

England work the ball over to the left wing where Ben Chilwell wins a throw in high up the pitch.

England 2-0 Ukraine

18:44 , Michael Jones

80 mins: Harry Kane made it 22 international goals at Wembley (his 55th in total for England) when he sent the Three Lions ahead in the first half.

He’s given a welcome round of applause when leaves the pitch. Ivan Toney comes on to make his England debut for the final 10 minutes.

Big moment for the Brentford striker.

England 2-0 Ukraine

18:41 , Michael Jones

77 mins: Kyle Walker floats a long ball into the box and tries to pick out Jude Bellingham. Oleksandr Svatok wins the initial ball and nods it back to the goalkeeper.

Ivan Toney is getting ready to come on for England.

England 2-0 Ukraine

18:39 , Michael Jones

74 mins: It’s been a sedate second half so far. England don’t need to push so haven’t tried to assert complete control on the game. They’re happy to wait for their opportunities.

Patient build-up is the current methodology being used.

England 2-0 Ukraine

18:34 , Michael Jones

71 mins: Poor! A nicely worked routine sees Bukayo Saka leap over the ball before James Maddison flicks it back to him.

With a better angle at goal, Saka takes a shot but hooks his curling effort well wide of the far post.

England 2-0 Ukraine

18:33 , Michael Jones

69 mins: Ruslan Malinovsky collects the first yellow card of the match after Saka’s quick feet take the ball around the midfielder right outside the box.

Saka goes down and England have the chance to get a free kick into the penalty area.

England 2-0 Ukraine

18:30 , Michael Jones

66 mins: Nearly! James Maddison collects the ball and drives through a gap on the inside left channel. He carries the ball into the box and looks to slip in Bukayo Saka.

His past is ever so slightly too heavy and rolls closer to goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin who scoops it up just before Saka gets there.

England 2-0 Ukraine

18:28 , Michael Jones

63 mins: Triple substitution for Ukraine as Eduard Sobol, Vitaly Buyalskiy and Victor Tsygankov come on for Myhailo Mudryk,Oleksandr Karavaev and Vitaly Mykolenko.

England 2-0 Ukraine

18:23 , Michael Jones

60 mins: An hour played at Wembley. It’s been a cautious quarter of an hour for Ukraine with England controlling the match without needing to exert too much energy.

They’re very solid defensively and are being helped by the slow, static nature of Ukraine’s build-up play.

England 2-0 Ukraine

18:22 , Michael Jones

57 mins: Close! England work the ball wonderfully across the pitch and create an extra man through Kyle Walker’s forward run. That leaves Bukayo Saka with space on the right side of the box and his low cross comes over to Jude Bellingham.

The pass is slightly in front of him and Bellingham’s guided touch can only poke the ball wide of the target.

England 2-0 Ukraine

18:18 , Michael Jones

54 mins: There’s not many signs of pressure from Ukraine. At present they seem content to keep England at bay whilst trying to win the ball back in midfield.

England 2-0 Ukraine

18:14 , Michael Jones

51 mins: England’s next corner comes out to Jordan Hendersonw who rolls it across to Ben Chilwell. Chilwell then slips a pass into the feet of James Maddison who goes for goal and blasts a shot high and wide.

Decent chance but poor execution.

England 2-0 Ukraine

18:11 , Michael Jones

48 mins: Jude Bellingham dribbles his way into space through the midfield and releases the ball over to Bukayo Saka.

Taras Stepanenko gets back to help out Vitaly Mykolenko but the ball is deflected behind for an England corner. James Maddison whips in the set piece and aims for Harry Maguire.

Oleksandr Zinchenko gets up with him and nods the ball behind.

Second half: England 2-0 Ukraine

18:08 , Michael Jones

Can England pick up where they left off? The Three Lions ended the first half in fantastic fashion and look on course to win their second European qualifier.

Ukraine get the match back underway at Wembley.

HT England 2-0 Ukraine

18:03 , Michael Jones

Bukayo Saka has been directly involved in 23 goals in his last 34 appearances for Arsenal and England, scoring 16 goals while providing 7 assists.

HT England 2-0 Ukraine

17:59 , Michael Jones

Half-time: England 2-0 Ukraine

17:53 , Lawrence Ostlere

After a slow start, that couldn’t have ended much better for England. Two fine goals, especially the second by Bukayo Saka, and they are heading for another victory at the start of this qualifying campaign. Still 45 minutes to go of course, and we saw in midweek how England struggled to keep control of a game, but at Wembley this one should be different.

England 2-0 Ukraine

17:49 , Lawrence Ostlere

43 min: A quickfire double, and England are in complete control at Wembley. It is obvious because they are the two goalscorers, but Saka and Kane have been outstanding and the real difference between the sides. Saka has a goal and an assist, Kane has a pre-assist for his own goal.

GOAL! England 2-0 Ukraine (Saka , 40)⚽️

17:44 , Michael Jones

Wow. Henderson rolls the ball into Saka 30 yards out, who turns his man before bending a beautiful finish into the top corner from just outside the box. Phenomenal.

GOAL! England 1-0 Ukraine (Kane, 37)⚽️

17:42 , Michael Jones

Finally, the breakthrough. Kane sweeps the ball out to Saka on the right wing and then charges into the box to receive the cross, which he bundles home for No 55.

England 0-0 Ukraine

17:38 , Lawrence Ostlere

33 min: Chelsea winger Mudryk shows the first glimpse of his blistering pace as he races in behind, but the flag goes up.

England 0-0 Ukraine

17:34 , Lawrence Ostlere

30 min: Saka has now been fouled a couple of times by Mykolenko, the latest challenge being the most clumsy, flattening the winger as he tries to escape down the touchline. The free-kick is delivered for Kane but the striker was offside and it wouldn’t have counted, even if he could have found the target with his stretching effort.

England 0-0 Ukraine

17:32 , Lawrence Ostlere

27 min: James Maddison has just Cruyff-turned Taras Stepanenko into next year with a lovely couple of tricks, which brings a cheer from a crowd otherwise starved of incidents so far. A moment later he’s in the box receiving Saka’s high pass but can’t get the ball under control.

England 0-0 Ukraine

17:29 , Lawrence Ostlere

24 min: Huge chance for England! Henderson delivers a perfect cross for Harry Kane but the striker kicks air instead of the ball from only a few yards out. The entire stadium expected the net to bulge.

England 0-0 Ukraine

17:27 , Lawrence Ostlere

21 min: England win a free-kick in a promising position but waste the opportunity with a Chilwell cross which is cleared, when a Maddison shot might have been the better option.

England 0-0 Ukraine

17:25 , Lawrence Ostlere

19 min: Henderson latches on to a Saka pass down the right wing and earns a corner. Chilwell delivers and it’s headed clear, and when it’s swung back in Kane wins the ball in the air but his effort is easily saved.

England 0-0 Ukraine

17:22 , Lawrence Ostlere

15 min: Maddison has flattened goalkeeperAnatoli Trubin after launching a studs-up bid to win a loose ball in the six-yard box. Another referee might have brought out a card there but Serdar Gozubuyuk opts only for a foul.

England 0-0 Ukraine

17:20 , Lawrence Ostlere

13 min: John Stones is rightly irked by one of those silly offside decisions which eventually comes only after the Ukrainian shot is taken when it was clear much earlier that the attacker was in an offside position. The Dutch assistant ignores Stones’ exasperated gestures.

England 0-0 Ukraine

17:15 , Lawrence Ostlere

10 min: England are starting to take some good control of the game after an edgy start. Maddison feeds Chilwell on the overlap whose cross is a teasing one, but Saka can’t quite get hold of the ball at the far post and the chance goes by.

England 0-0 Ukraine

17:14 , Lawrence Ostlere

8 min: Penalty? Harry Kane goes down in the box and appeals aggressively for the decision, but nothing’s doing.

England 0-0 Ukraine

17:12 , Lawrence Ostlere

6 min: England enjoy a spell of possession, working the ball across the pitch without making inroads in a well-organised Ukrainian shape, but the move breaks down when Stones’ raking crossfield pass to Saka is overhit.

England 0-0 Ukraine

17:09 , Lawrence Ostlere

3 min: A head injury to Malinovski caused a couple of minutes’ delay early here at Wembley, but he’s back on his feet after receiving some treatment. Since then Ukraine have started well and looked to break quickly.

Kick-off! England 0-0 Ukraine

17:04 , Lawrence Ostlere

The players from both teams gather behind a Ukrainian flag which bears the word peace, and before kick-off a minute’s applause is held following the death of England World Cup winner George Cohen.

And they’re off.

England vs Ukraine

17:01 , Lawrence Ostlere

Harry Kane receives an award for his achievement of breaking Wayne Rooney’s England goals record in Italy earlier this week, and he’s joined on the pitch with his wife and three children and the entire stadium and both sets of players applaud.

England vs Ukraine

16:58 , Lawrence Ostlere

The anthems are under way at a packed Wembley Stadium...

England vs Ukraine

16:40 , Michael Jones

England have conceded three or more goals in each of their last two home games, a 4-0 defeat to Hungary and a 3-3 draw with Germany last year.

They have never shipped three goals or more in three consecutive home games in their history.

England vs Ukraine

16:35 , Michael Jones

Ukraine have lost just two of their last 19 European Championship qualifying matches (W13 D4), losing home and away against Spain in qualification for EURO 2016.

England vs Ukraine

16:32 , Lawrence Ostlere

Some images ahead of England’s qualifier with Ukraine at Wembley tonight...

England vs Ukraine

16:31 , Michael Jones

Ukraine haven’t won their opening match in qualifying for any of the last five major tournaments (drawn four, lost one) since beating Belarus in September 2008 in a 2010 World Cup qualifier.

Kane chasing more records

16:26 , Michael Jones

Harry Kane has scored 21 goals in 30 England appearances at Wembley, scoring five times in his last four appearances there.

In England’s history, only Bobby Charlton (23) and Gary Lineker (22) have scored more times at Wembley for the Three Lions.

Will Kane catch one or both of them this afternoon?

England team news

16:14 , Lawrence Ostlere

So, James Maddison starts tonight. At 26, his first England start has perhaps come a little later than he and many onlookers would have imagined, having gained only one international cap so far as a substitute against Montenegro three-and-a-half years ago.

Now, in part thanks to his excellent recent club form at Leicester and partly due to a number of injuries in the left-sided attacker role like Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden. With all that competition, it’s an opportunity Maddison must take.

England achieve something they’ve never done before – and it shows the blueprint for Euro 2024 glory

15:55 , Michael Jones

After the record, there was something else to register for Harry Kane.

“Of course we haven’t achieved what we want to, but I think tonight was a big statement after the disappointment of the World Cup and for huge spells of the game, to play really well shows what type of team we want to be.”

That is of course a team that can go anywhere – to any stadium, against any opposition – and completely impose their own game. That is what might have been even more significant about this 2-1 win over Italy after Kane’s record. Or, at least, the first half might have been.

It is also about much more than winning in the country for the first time since 1961, or beating them at all for the first time since 1997. It was about the nature of that initial display.

England don’t actually get big away wins that often, but those that they tend to be memorable. In this millennium, there was the 5-1 against Germany in the 2002 World Cup qualifiers, the 4-1 against Croatia in the 2010 World Cup qualifiers and then the 3-2 over Spain in the first Nations League.

England achieve something they’ve never done – and it shows route to Euro 2024 glory

England line-up

15:55 , Michael Jones

England XI: Pickford, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Chilwell, Rice, Henderson, Bellingham, Saka, Kane, Maddison

England vs Ukraine

15:50 , Michael Jones

England are winless in their last three home games (D2 L1), two at Molineux and one at Wembley.

The Three Lions haven’t gone four without a win at home since between October 2010 and June 2011 (D3 L1).

England vs Ukraine

15:45 , Michael Jones

Ukraine have never beaten England away from home in four previous attempts (one draw, three defeats), with this their first away game on English soil since September 2012.

That one ended in a 1-1 draw in a World Cup qualifier.

Southgate on Ukraine test

15:40 , Michael Jones

Here’s Gareth Southgate previewing today’s encounter with Ukraine. Can the Three Lions make it two wins from two?

England vs Italy

15:35 , Michael Jones

England and the Ukraine last faced at Euro 2020 in the quarter-final, staged at the Stadio Olimpico. The Three Lions won 4-0 with goals from Harry Kane (x2), Harry Maguire and Jordan Henderson.

Will they repeat that peformance today?

Why England’s resilient win over Italy was so significant

15:30 , Michael Jones

A night of historic landmarks in Naples, if also one that quickly went from the easiest of important victories to an immensely difficult test of character.

Harry Kane became England’s record scorer with his 54th international goal, to ensure the national team won in Italy for the first time since 1961, and also claimed their first qualifying win away to a major nation since Germany in 2001.

Any fanciful ideas that this 2-1 would instead be another 5-1 from the first half instead swiftly dissipated, as Italy belatedly displayed why they had the momentum to become defending champions themselves.

After a period when England had showcased all of their best strengths – especially through the brilliance of Jude Bellingham – Italy began to exploit weaknesses, especially at centre-half. Gareth Southgate’s side instead had to find different qualities, but that what was made it a statement for Euro 2024 in itself. Make no mistake, even if England inevitably made a few themselves. This was a seriously good win, as much because of how troubling the second half became.

They all looked relieved at the end, as Italy seemed so deflated. Southgate himself looked like he didn’t want to go through that again. What he must try to recapture, however, is just how commanding England were for that first half.

Why England’s resilient win over Italy was so significant

England to play with depleted squad against Ukraine

15:25 , Michael Jones

Gareth Southgate says he will not call anyone else up for the national team as England prepare to face Ukraine on Sunday afternoon.

The England manager has 20 players to choose from with left-back Luke Shaw suspended and right-back Reece James withdrawing with an injury.

There are also concerns over the fitness of Jordan Henderson, Jude Bellingham and Kalvin Phillips but Southgate says all three will be available to play.

"We have just about enough to get through this game," said Southgate, "We have been training with this group all week - to call somebody from the outside would be potentially quite complicated.

"We would have no idea where they might be and what their training load has been over the last couple of days. If we were going to do that at this point we would do that with the under-21s."

England vs Ukraine prediction

15:20 , Michael Jones

England are the heavy favourites coming into this match. They hammered Ukraine 4-0 in the last meeting at Euro 2020 and head into the match on the back of a famous victory over Italy in Naples.

Add to that home advantage of playing at Wembley with captain Harry Kane in great form and things will be very difficult for the visitors this evening.

England 3-0 Ukraine.

Predicted England line-up

15:15 , Michael Jones

England XI: Pickford; Trippier, Stones, Maguire, Chilwell; Henderson, Rice, Bellingham; Saka, Kane, Grealish

Phil Foden to miss the match

15:10 , Michael Jones

England have announced that Phil Foden will miss today’s game following surgery to remove his appendix. A statement from the FA reads:

“Phil Foden has been ruled out of this evening’s UEFA EURO 2024 qualifier with Ukraine following surgery to remove his appendix this morning.

“England manager Gareth Southgate has not called up a replacement, meaning he has 20 players to choose from after the earlier withdrawal of Reece James and Luke Shaw’s suspension.”

What is the England team news?

15:05 , Michael Jones

England head into their clash against Ukraine with a depleted squad. Marcus Rashford, Mason Mount and Nick Pope withdrew from the initial selection, with Reece James pulling out of the squad on Saturday for an assessment on what the Football Association called an “ongoing issue”. Phil Foden is also out following surgery to remove his appendix this morning.

Luke Shaw trained with the group on the eve of the game but is suspended following his sending-off for two yellow cards in Italy. Southgate is hopeful they have “just about got enough to get through the game”, downplaying concerns over midfielders Jordan Henderson, Jude Bellingham and Kalvin Phillips.

“They’re all good,” the England boss said. “With Kalvin, (Italy) was his first 90 for a little while. He had 90 at Bristol City in the cup, so we’ll just have to assess freshness as much as anything. “But that’s the same with the whole group. It is that time of the year and we have got to get the balance right of continuity, consistency, but also freshness.”

How to watch England vs Ukraine

15:00 , Michael Jones

The match will kick off at 5pm BST on Sunday 26 March at Wembley.

It will be shown live on Channel 4 in the UK, with coverage starting at 4pm. It will also be available to stream on All 4.

England vs Ukraine

13:19 , Michael Jones

Hello and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s Euro 2024 qualifier which sees England host Ukraine at Wembley.

The Three Lions got their qualifying campaign for next year’s European Championship off to the perfect start when they defeated Italy 2-1 in Naples last Thursday. It was a monumental step for Gareth Southgate’s men as they managed to beat the Azzurri in their own back yard for the first time since 1961.

Now, England are hoping to cement their spot of the top of Group C by also triumphing over Ukraine this afternoon. There are some key personnel missing - Reece James has left the squad through injury and Luke Shaw is suspended - but Southgate should have enough quality to call on to get the job done.

Due to the situation in Ukraine, following Russia’s invasion of the country, it will be an emotional affair with many refugees invited to the match by the FA. Tributes have been planned before kick and no doubt the Ukrainian players, coaches and staff will all receive a warm welcome.